salaryRent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.8 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,960 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Texas. It is number 177 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waco?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waco
| Size | Waco | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $920 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,004 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,255 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,529 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,503 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waco overall?
Everyday prices in the Waco metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Waco
Life in Waco
What jobs pay in Waco
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $150,710 | 10.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,000 | 12.4% |
| Lawyer | $130,230 | 12.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,920 | 12.6% |
| Software Developer | $123,080 | 13.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,470 | 17.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,340 | 17.0% |
| Operations Manager | $92,990 | 17.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,890 | 17.4% |
| Accountant | $76,140 | 21.3% |
| Police Officer | $75,850 | 21.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $75,120 | 21.5% |
| Firefighter | $62,650 | 25.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,070 | 26.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,100 | 27.4% |
| Plumber | $57,550 | 28.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,310 | 28.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $55,860 | 29.0% |
| Electrician | $48,880 | 33.1% |
| Truck Driver | $48,780 | 33.2% |
| Carpenter | $47,340 | 34.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,910 | 41.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,810 | 41.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,290 | 43.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,270 | 45.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $31,500 | 51.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,810 | 54.3% |
| Cashier | $28,610 | 56.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,010 | 70.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waco?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $189 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $221,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waco, TX?
Renting in Waco costs a median of about $1,349 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Waco?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,960 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waco cheap or expensive?
Waco is rated OK: rent takes 27.6% of the typical household income of $58,633. It ranks 177th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waco?
The median homeowner in Waco pays $3,537 a year in property taxes, about 1.60% of the median home value.
Is Waco more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Waco?
The median home value in Waco is $221,700, about 3.8 times the typical yearly household income.
143,570 people live in Waco. Numbers are typical (middle) values.