Boulder vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boulder
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 78.3% less than Boulder. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $42,061 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boulder has the same purchasing power as $42,061 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $133,735 in Boulder.
Living in Boulder vs Waco
Housing Costs
Boulder's housing index of 230 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $230,000. The $520,000 difference in home prices means roughly $33,804 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,300/mo in Boulder compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $1,250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 107 in Boulder and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Boulder vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Boulder and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Boulder vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Boulder and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,123 in Boulder and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,407 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 $1,706/month to housing in Boulder vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 167 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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