Waco

Background Image

Waco, TX

Area Guide

A historic hub in the heart of Texas gains newfound fame

Suburban River Historic Quaint Growing College Town Affordable

Living in Waco, Texas combines small-city comfort with metropolitan conveniences in Central Texas. Home to approximately 144,000 residents and Baylor University, the city maintains a welcoming atmosphere enriched by its academic presence. The rental market shows one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,030 monthly and two-bedroom units at $1,253. Notable areas include the tree-lined streets of Castle Heights, the walkable neighborhoods surrounding Baylor University, and the residential communities of Woodway.

Downtown Waco continues to evolve, with Magnolia Market at the Silos serving as a central attraction. The city's outdoor spaces include a seven-mile riverwalk along the Brazos River and Cameron Park's 416 acres of hiking trails and limestone cliffs. Local landmarks showcase the city's history, from the Dr Pepper Museum - commemorating the drink's 1885 Waco origins - to the Waco Mammoth National Monument's Ice Age discoveries. Entertainment options include performances at the restored Waco Hippodrome, exhibits at local art galleries, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Located between Dallas and Austin, Waco provides easy access to major metropolitan areas while maintaining its distinctive character.

Explore the City

The Hippodrome Theater is located in Downtown Waco

The Dr Pepper Museum is in the original bottling plant built in 1906.

Built in 1901, the McLennan County Courthouse is a National Historic Landmark

A mammoth fossil at the Waco Mammoth National Monument

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Waco, TX is $988 for a studio, $1,022 for one bedroom, $1,261 for two bedrooms, and $1,468 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Waco has decreased by -0.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,022/month
663 Sq Ft
House
$1,849/month
1,317 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,405/month
808 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,661/month
1,095 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Waco, TX

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Waco, TX is 9.4% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Waco is 20.6% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $988 - $1,468. You can expect to pay 8.0% less for groceries, 2.5% more for utilities, and 8.5% less for transportation.

Compare Cities

$

Transportation

45

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

42

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

China Spring Elementary School

Public

Grades 2-4

677 Students

South Bosque Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

595 Students

Woodway Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

567 Students

Chapel Park Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

463 Students

China Spring Intermediate School

Public

Grades 5-6

461 Students

Lake Air Montessori School

Public

Grades PK-8

697 Students

Bosqueville Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

161 Students

Gholson School

Public

Grades PK-12

262 Students

Tennyson Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

999 Students

Cesar Chavez Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

840 Students

Midway High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,648 Students

Bosqueville High School

Public

Grades 9-12

218 Students

Gholson School

Public

Grades PK-12

262 Students

Waco High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,011 Students

University High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,678 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Cameron Park Zoo
  • Cameron Park
  • Carleen Bright Arboretum
  • Mayborn Museum
  • Waco Mammoth Site

Commuter Rail

Military Bases

Airports

  • Waco Regional

Top Apartments in Waco

Houses for Rent in Waco

Property Management Companies in Waco, TX

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.