Des Moines vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 7.2% less than Des Moines. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Des Moines, you would need $69,944 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $69,944 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $80,422 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Waco
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $230,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines 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 Des Moines and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines 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 $55,958 in Des Moines and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 and $59,639 respectively. Des Moines residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Des Moines, 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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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