Tyler vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Tyler
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 2.4% less than Tyler. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Tyler, you would need $73,235 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Tyler has the same purchasing power as $73,235 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $76,807 in Tyler.
Living in Tyler vs Waco
Housing Costs
Tyler's housing index of 69 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $230,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Tyler compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Tyler and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Tyler vs $451/month in Waco. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Tyler and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Tyler vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Tyler and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $54,800 in Tyler and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,471 and $59,639 respectively. Tyler residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,279/month to housing in Tyler vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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