Can I Afford to Live in Ogden vs Waco on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses โ€” based on Q1 2026 data.

Ogden, UT
$5,929/mo take-home
Rent: $1,250/mo (21% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Waco, TX
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (16% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Expense
Ogden
UT
Waco
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)$5,929$6,321
1BR rent$1,250$1,000
Groceries (est.)$365$350
Transport (est.)$55$38
Utilities$145$172
Internet$62$60
Left after essentials$4,052/month$4,701/month
Waco (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Ogden (UT rate: 4.7%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Ogden?

At $100K/year in Ogden, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,929. With 1BR rent around $1,250/month, rent takes up 21% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $100K a good salary in Waco?

At $100K/year in Waco, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $1,000/month, rent takes up 16% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Waco leaves you with more money after core expenses โ€” $4,701/month vs $4,052/month in Ogden.

Can I afford to live alone in Ogden on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Ogden, rent takes 21% of your take-home, leaving $4,052/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands โ€” Ogden vs Waco

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more โ€” side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only