Albuquerque vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 10.8% less expensive than Albuquerque overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $67,663 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 Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $67,663 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $83,133 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Waco
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $230,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque 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 95 in Albuquerque and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque 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 $52,911 in Albuquerque and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $59,639 respectively. Waco residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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