CostIndexUSA

Spokane, WA vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Spokane
100.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is moderately cheaper than Spokane — 7.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Spokane, you would need $73,900 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.0%
Spokane
97.1
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries10.7%
Spokane
105
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Spokane
104.4
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Spokane
94.5
Waco
91.4
Utilities11.2%
Spokane
91.2
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$73,900
$6,100 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9232. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Spokane, WA

Median Home Price
$406,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Waco, TX

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

Spokane has 14.0% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Spokane, WA

Median Household Income
$72,800
Per Capita Income
$41,500
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
228,989
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationGovernmentManufacturingRetail

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).

Spokane, WA
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.