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Waco / Woodway

Texas · Central Texas
No Income TaxDance: DevelopingWarmBudget Cost
55
/ 100 match score

Magnolia has revitalized Waco's image nationally. The Woodway and Hewitt suburbs are significantly safer than the city average. Midway ISD is excellent. Positioned between Dallas and Austin (90 min each) is a genuine lifestyle advantage for remote workers who travel.

Match Score Breakdown
Cost of Living
20/20
Family Safety
2/20
State Tax Burden
10/10
Healthcare Quality
13/20
Dance Training
3/12
Musical Theater
2/8
Career / Remote
5/10
Financial Snapshot at $360K Income
State income tax
$0
Texas advantage
Est. after-tax income
$267,175
incl. FICA + federal
Annual living costs
$66,000
$54,000–$78,000 range
Annual surplus
+$201,175
King: 4.0×
FICA (7.65%)
$27,540/yr
Rent: 3BR family home
$1,300–$1,800/mo
Median SFH purchase
$270,000
Dance Training
Baylor University has a dance program with community spillover. Local studios exist but pre-professional pipeline is limited. DFW or Austin required for serious training (90 min each).
Healthcare
Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center and Ascension Providence. Reasonable for a city this size. Major care goes to Dallas or Austin.
Career & Remote Work
Limited local tech. Dallas and Austin each 90 minutes. Remote-only focus. AT&T Fiber available throughout Waco metro.
Musical Theater
Developing
Baylor University's theatre arts programs produce high-quality public productions and Baylor faculty provide professional instruction in the area, which benefits serious students willing to engage with the university community. Local studio training options exist. However, no youth MT conservatory or competition program of national standing exists locally. DFW is 90 min north for elite-level training.
Safety
Violent crime rate:800 per 100KSuburban Focus Required

US national average: ~370/100K. For cities with elevated rates, target specific suburban ISD neighborhoods — actual neighborhood crime is 40–60% below city average.

Internet Quality
Good500+ Mbps
AT&T Fiber available in parts of Waco. Spectrum widely available. Woodway/Hewitt suburbs have solid gigabit options.
Pros
  • +Extremely affordable — remarkable cost of living
  • +Magnolia/Chip & Jo culture is genuinely fun — tourist amenity that benefits residents
  • +Midway ISD is excellent
  • +Between DFW and Austin (90 min each)
  • +Baylor University enrichment programs
Cons
  • −City violent crime very high — suburbs only
  • −Dance infrastructure very limited
  • −Must be fully remote — limited local tech
  • −Cultural limitations vs major metro
Quick Stats
School rating
7/10
Healthcare rating
7/10
Tech job market
fair
Remote friendly
Yes

Financial estimates: $360K gross income, FICA 7.65% + federal MFJ 2026 brackets ($30K standard deduction). Texas has no state income tax. Does not include property tax (TX rates 1.5–2.5% of assessed value, varies by county) or HOA. Actual liability varies — consult a CPA.