CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is moderately cheaper than Atlantic City — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $74,900 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing15.4%
Atlantic City
98.7
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries6.0%
Atlantic City
99.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Atlantic City
102.8
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Atlantic City
93
Waco
91.4
Utilities25.8%
Atlantic City
109.2
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlantic City to see what you'd need to earn in Waco to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 0.9363. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Waco, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Atlantic City has 15.4% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

Waco, TX

Median Household Income
$62,700
Per Capita Income
$35,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
138,486
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Waco, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.