Waco wins overall by ~22% (COL index)
Cost of living: Waco vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Waco buys roughly what $77,349 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$16,006/yr
Favoring Waco for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,334/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~12 months and still keep ~$160/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Waco Texas | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $800Wins | $1,500 | Waco wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Waco |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,900 | Waco wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Waco |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $2,600 | Waco wins +$1,300/mo | $15,600/yr saves in Waco |
| Median home price | $210KWins | $360K | Waco wins +$150K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 92Better | 102 | Waco wins +10 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Waco wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Wins | $60 | Waco wins +$14/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Wins | $105 | Waco wins +$67/mo | $804/yr saves in Waco |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Waco wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162Better | $165 | Waco wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $172 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$7/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Waco wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $48K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$19K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | Waco wins +4.9 pp | $2,940/yr saves in Waco |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Wins | 10.3% | Waco wins +2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $12.00Wins | $16.00 | Waco wins +$4.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $30Wins | $45 | Waco wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $4.50Wins | $7.00 | Waco wins +$2.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 83Wins | 107 | Waco wins +24 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +56 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,940/yr tax difference into cash back
Waco fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Waco.
High-yield savings
Park ~$10,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waco cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Waco is 22% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (83 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Waco vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Waco is $1,000/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Waco is cheaper by 47%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Waco?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $96,687/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Waco. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Waco or Chicago?
Waco has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Waco has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Waco to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Waco offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Waco ↔ Chicago
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