CostIndexUSA

Lubbock, TX vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Lubbock
91.3
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Lubbock is slightly cheaper than Waco — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lubbock, you would need $81,100 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+9.3%
Lubbock
76.4
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Lubbock
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Lubbock
101.1
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Lubbock
91.4
Waco
91.4
Utilities2.2%
Lubbock
82.8
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$81,100
$1,100 more needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 91.3) = salary × 1.0142. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lubbock, TX

Median Home Price
$206,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
76.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7×

Waco, TX

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

Waco has 9.3% higher housing costs compared to Lubbock.

Income & Job Market

Lubbock, TX

Median Household Income
$57,100
Per Capita Income
$32,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
258,862
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturingGovernment

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).

Lubbock, TX
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.