Wait staff at restaurants are not immune to the rising cost of living.

A new study from the New York Post suggested customers in that area are tipping more than the typical 15 to 20 percent.

Some food servers suggest tips up to 30 percent are more appropriate. That means a if a customer were to tip 30 percent, they would be paying $130 for a $100 meal.

But some Abilene restaurant customers said that seems a bit too high.

"I think a good tip--probably about 20 percent, just depending on the service," John Whitworth said.

"I usually do 15 percent to 20 percent depending on the service," Susan Knight said. "Good service 20 percent, so-so service 15 percent."

Minimum wage for wait staff is only $2.13 per hour, according to federal law. Texas has the same minimum wage for employees that receive tips.

That is why some argue tips are vitally important for wait staff to make a living.

Gary Lawrence, a customer at a local restaurant, said his son is a former waiter.

"Tips were a big thing to him and a lot of times people would hardly tip 2 percent even though he gave them great service," Lawrence said.

He said he considers 20 percent to be a fair tip depending on how much the restaurant pays its wait staff.

"If you get great service, 30% would be nice," he added.