Moving from Lafayette to Waco (2026)
Waco has a COL index of 83 vs 85 for Lafayette (100 = US average). You'd pay about 2% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$149/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8583
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,100$1,000
per month
State tax
4.3%None
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,472$4,741
per month
Salary needed in Waco to match your Lafayette lifestyle
Based on the 2% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Lafayette | Equivalent in Waco |
|---|---|
| $40K | $39,059 |
| $50K | $48,824 |
| $60K | $58,588 |
| $75K | $73,235 |
| $80K | $78,118 |
| $100K | $97,647 |
| $120K | $117,176 |
| $150K | $146,471 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Lafayette vs Waco
| Expense | Lafayette | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,472 | $4,741 |
| 1BR rent | $1,100 | $1,000 |
| Groceries | $361 | $350 |
| Transport | $42 | $38 |
| Utilities | $208 | $172 |
| Internet | $58 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,703 | $3,121 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Waco cheaper than Lafayette?
Yes. Waco has a cost of living index of 83 vs 85 for Lafayette (100 = US average). That's about 2% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Lafayette to Waco?
On a $75K salary, moving from Lafayette to Waco could save roughly $149/month on core expenses. That's ~$1,788/year.
What salary do I need in Waco to match my Lafayette lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Lafayette, you'd need roughly $73,235/year in Waco. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Waco to LafayetteLafayette vs Waco — full comparisonLafayette cost of livingWaco cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only