Salary Needed to Live in Waco as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $67,790/year to live comfortably in Waco, TX, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $67,790/year to live comfortably in Waco, TX. The bare-minimum salary is $56,944/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,137.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,559/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,649/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$67,790
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,944
$4,745/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,559
20% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Waco
| Expense | Waco | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $990 | $1,641 | -40% |
| Groceries | $306 | $320 | -4% |
| Utilities | $214 | $225 | -5% |
| Transportation | $436 | $421 | +4% |
| Car Insurance | $162 | $223 | -27% |
| Health Insurance | $659 | $672 | -2% |
| Internet | $53 | $65 | -18% |
| Phone (x2) | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Dining & Social | $369 | $450 | -18% |
| Entertainment | $148 | $180 | -18% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $107 | $130 | -18% |
| Total Monthly | $3,559 | $4,467 | -20% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,559
Target savings (12%):$578/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,137
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$67,790
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$990
1-2BR Apartment rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus TX state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$578/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
82/100
Waco is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $990/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $792/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $56,944/year as the survival floor and $67,790/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Waco
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Waco?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $67,790/year ($5,649/month gross) to live comfortably in Waco with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Waco?
A 1-2br apartment in Waco costs approximately $990/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Waco affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Waco is 20% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).