Abilene vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Waco
The Verdict
Abilene is 3.6% less expensive than Waco overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $77,813 in Waco to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $77,813 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $72,289 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Waco
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $230,000. The $51,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,312 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $451/month in Waco. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $59,639 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 5 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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