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Retirement community in Waco, Texas

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Waco, Texas Retirement Guide

59

Retirement Score

Waco, Texas at a Glance

Median Home Price
$209,700
State Income Tax
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
Avg January Low
41.3°F
Cost of Living Index
97.4 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
59 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Waco, Texas, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
97.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$47,421High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Waco's cost of living is 2.5999999999999943% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$209,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,177High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
47.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Waco using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$454

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$510

Median home price used: $209,700

Median rent reference: $1,177 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Waco, Texas after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
25.1 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
25.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
38.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Waco scores 25.1 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Waco

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Waco →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Texas has a tax environment that is highly favorable for retirees.Read more in our detailed Texas tax guide.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
101.7°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
41.3°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
42"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
299 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 299 sunny days a year and an average January low of 41.3°F, Waco offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
56.5 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
34.6 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.3 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
140,545High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
28.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
12.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
6.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
27.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
59.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
20.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
30.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
1.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Waco

What is the cost of living in Waco, Texas for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 97, roughly 3% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $209,700.

Does Texas tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Texas residents: No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Waco, Texas?▾

Waco, Texas has January average low around 41°F, July average high around 102°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Waco, Texas?▾

Waco scores 25/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

JTS FUND ADVISORS, LLC

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