Is Austin, TX cheaper than Waco, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 10.5% more expensive than Waco, TX. This translates to spending an extra $791 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Waco, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Waco, TX, you'd need approximately $159,491.175 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Waco, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 47.9% more expensive than in Waco, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,034/month in Waco, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Waco, TX to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $791 more per month than Waco, TX, or $9491 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Waco, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Waco, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Arlington, TX area

Current salary in Waco, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $791/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 10.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$791

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Waco, TX

Population:145K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$558K

Waco, TX

The Lone Star State

145K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 145K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Waco, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Waco, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,950/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $935more	47.9%
📦Other	$1,576/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $165more	10.5%
🏥Healthcare	$626/mo	$589/mo	↓ $37.27less	6.0%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$541/mo	↓ $16.42less	2.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,273/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $11.28more	0.9%
🛒Groceries	$970/mo	$959/mo	↓ $10.53less	1.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 47.9%

Waco, TX

$1,950

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$935

📦Other

↑ 10.5%

Waco, TX

$1,576

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$165

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.0%

Waco, TX

$626

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$37.27

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.9%

Waco, TX

$557

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$16.42

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 0.9%

Waco, TX

$1,273

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$11.28

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.1%

Waco, TX

$970

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$10.53

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$709

To$1,585

↑ $876

1 Bed

From$834

To$1,685

↑ $851

2 Bed

From$1,034

To$1,995

↑ $961

3 Bed

From$1,334

To$2,525

↑ $1,191

Waco, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,160/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,952

Monthly in Waco, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,047

Difference

Home Values

Waco

Austin

$241K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -1.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +32.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$137K - $296K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 131% more expensive than Waco

Calculate payment - Waco Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Waco, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Waco, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.