Colorado Springs vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.5%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $59,286 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $59,286 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $94,880 in Colorado Springs.
Living in Colorado Springs vs Waco
Housing Costs
Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 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: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs 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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $59,639 respectively. Colorado Springs residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases