Tulsa vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Tulsa
Waco
💡 The Verdict
Tulsa is 7% cheaper than Waco overall. A $75,000 salary in Tulsa is equivalent to $80,294 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Tulsa (left) vs Waco (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Tulsa versus Waco. Differences shown from Tulsa perspective.
| Item | Tulsa | Waco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $710/mo | $990/mo | $-280.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $950/mo | $1,270/mo | $-320.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,260/mo | $1,580/mo | $-320.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.80 | $2.32 | +$0.48 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.47 | $3.14 | +$0.33 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.03 | $2.69 | +$0.34 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.24 | $4.65 | +$0.59 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.35 | $2.98 | +$0.37 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.48 | $14.92 | $-1.44 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Tulsa has the same purchasing power as $80,294 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $70,055 in Tulsa.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3151 difference is driven by Oklahoma having a higher state income tax rate. Oklahoma details → · Texas details →
Reading These Numbers: Tulsa (85) vs Waco (91)
Tulsa at 85 is 15% below the US average, while Waco at 91 is 9% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Tulsa, the composite index of 85 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 63, followed by groceries (95), utilities (92), transportation (98), and healthcare (91). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $950/mo in Tulsa and $1,270/mo in Waco, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,840.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $19,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $161,000.0 difference in median home prices between Tulsa and Waco translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Tulsa vs Waco
Choosing between Tulsa and Waco involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Tulsa and Waco can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.