CostIndexUSA

Tulsa, OK vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOK
Tulsa
89.2
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Tulsa is slightly cheaper than Waco — 3.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Tulsa, you would need $83,000 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+22.4%
Tulsa
68.2
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Tulsa
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Tulsa
100.2
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Tulsa
90.7
Waco
91.4
Utilities+9.6%
Tulsa
73.9
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$83,000
$3,000 more needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 89.2) = salary × 1.0381. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Tulsa, OK

Median Home Price
$243,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0×

Waco, TX

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

Waco has 22.4% higher housing costs compared to Tulsa.

Income & Job Market

Tulsa, OK

Median Household Income
$65,600
Per Capita Income
$37,400
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
413,066
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareFinanceManufacturingAerospace

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).

Tulsa, OK
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.