Waco is swiftly becoming home for many Texans and out-of-staters alike. There are countless things to do in the city whether you explore the Magnolia Market at the Silos, a popular shopping and dining area, visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, or take a tour of the Waco Mammoth National Monument. It’s no wonder 139,600 people are living in Waco.
If you’re looking to buy a home in Waco, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $280,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $176. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in Waco, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,495.
If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up a list of the 4 best affordable Waco suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 35-minute drive from the city. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Waco’s best activities, without paying the price of city life.
#1: Marlin
Median home price: $115,750
Average sale price per square foot: $45
Driving distance from Waco: 35 minutes
Marlin, TX homes for sale
Marlin, TX apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $115,750, Marlin lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Waco suburb. About a 35-minute drive from downtown Waco, Marlin is home to roughly 5,500 people. Living in Marlin, you can visit Marlin City Park and explore Main Street.
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#2: Bellmead
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Median home price: $200,000
Average sale price per square foot: $69
Driving distance from Waco: 10 minutes
Bellmead, TX homes for sale
Bellmead, TX apartments for rent
Just a little more expensive than Marlin is the town of Bellmead. Only 10 minutes from the city center you can shop and dine in Magnolia Market at the Silos in no time. Some popular things to do in Bellmead include spending a sunny afternoon at Lions Park or stopping by one of the great local restaurants. When living in this suburb of 10,500 people, you can also spend time exploring the charming downtown.
#3: McGregor
Median home price: $330,000
Average sale price per square foot: $168
Driving distance from Waco: 25 minutes
McGregor, TX homes for sale
McGregor, TX apartments for rent
Just 25 minutes away, you’ll find the suburb of McGregor. From parks and outdoor recreation to shopping, there’s lots of things that make McGregor a great place to live. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to stop by one of the many local shops and attractions.
#4: Woodway
Median home price: $340,000
Average sale price per square foot: $130
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,195
Driving distance from Waco: 10 minutes
Woodway, TX homes for sale
Woodway, TX apartments for rent
A little more expensive than McGregor is the suburb of Woodway. With a population close to 9,400, there’s still plenty to do in this Waco suburb. Plan to spend the day at the Carleen Bright Arboretum or enjoy the outdoors at Woodway Park.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Waco and under a 35-minute drive from downtown Waco. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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