$50K in Midland = $44,624 in Waco

Your $50K salary in Midland (COL 93) has the same purchasing power as $44,624 in Waco (COL 83). Waco is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.

$50K in Midland, TX
$3,160/mo take-home
Rent: $1,200/mo (38% of take-home)
Tight
$44,624/yr in Waco, TX
$3,044/mo take-home
Rent: $1,000/mo (33% of take-home)
Manageable

Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities

What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Midland
$50K
Waco
$50K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$3,160$3,160
1BR rent$1,200$1,000
Groceries$365$350
Transport$35$38
Utilities$178$172
Internet$65$60
Left after essentials$1,317/month$1,540/month
To match your Midland purchasing power in Waco, you'd need to earn $44,624/year (11% less than $50K). At that salary, you'd have $1,424/mo left after essentials — vs $1,317/mo in Midland.

Frequently asked questions

What is $50K in Midland equivalent to in Waco?

$50K in Midland (COL index 93) has the same purchasing power as $44,624 in Waco (COL index 83). That's 11% less than your current salary.

If I move from Midland to Waco keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to Waco, you'd have $223 more per month after core expenses — because Waco is cheaper than Midland.

How is the salary equivalent calculated?

The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $50K × (83 ÷ 93) = $44,624. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Midland to Waco

$40K → $35,699$60K → $53,548$75K → $66,935$80K → $71,398$100K → $89,247$120K → $107,097$150K → $133,871
$50K in Waco → MidlandMoving from Midland to WacoMidland vs Waco — full comparisonCan I afford Midland vs Waco on $50K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only