CostIndexUSA

New Haven, CT vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$1,975/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is moderately cheaper than New Haven — 11.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $70,800 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.8%
New Haven
124.3
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries3.6%
New Haven
97.3
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.2%
New Haven
107.8
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare6.3%
New Haven
97.5
Waco
91.4
Utilities44.1%
New Haven
144.8
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$70,800
$9,200 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 104.6) = salary × 0.8853. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$386,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Waco, TX

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

New Haven has 32.8% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$80,700
Per Capita Income
$46,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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).

New Haven, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.