San Marcos, TX vs Waco, TX

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waco is 17.6% cheaper than San Marcos. With a cost index of 82 vs 96, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Waco to San Marcos should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in San Marcos is $1,299/month compared to $1,098/month in Waco — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waco is more affordable at $199,600 median vs $269,700.

Median household income in San Marcos is $51,030 compared to $51,468 in Waco (-0.9%). Waco offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of San Marcos spend roughly 30.5% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Waco. The Waco ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.