Burlington vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 42.2% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $52,754 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 Burlington has the same purchasing power as $52,754 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $106,627 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Waco
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $230,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $388 in Waco. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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