Denton vs Waco: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Denton, TX and Waco, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Denton, TX | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,262 | 140,545 |
| Median household income | $71,921 | $47,421 |
| Median home value | $296,100 | $174,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,264 | $1,038 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Denton, TX and Waco, TX comes down to what you value most. Waco has the lower median home value, and Waco has the lower median rent.
Denton has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Denton or Waco?
- By median home value, Waco is the cheaper of the two ($174,100 vs $296,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Denton or Waco?
- Median household income is $71,921 in Denton versus $47,421 in Waco, per the US Census Bureau.