Median rent is 38% lower in Waco ($1,098/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Waco, where the median home runs $199,600 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $51,468 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
Waco, TX
How much would you need to earn in Waco, TX to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
New York
New York
Waco
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Waco — median rent of $1,098/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 38% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $199,600 in Waco — 73% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while New York tops out at 10.90% — giving Waco a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 6.25% in Texas; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Waco
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Waco has cleaner air on average: 34.0 AQI (Good) compared to 61.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick Waco if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,098/mo median).
Pick Waco if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 34.0).
Pick Waco if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is New York cheaper than Waco?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Waco?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,098/mo in Waco, TX. Waco, TX has the lower rent by about 38%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or Waco?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $51,468 in Waco, TX. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Waco, TX has better air quality on average: 34.0 AQI versus 61.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — New York or Waco?
Texas has no state income tax. New York has a top rate of 10.90%.
What salary do I need in Waco to match my New York income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology