Frisco vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Frisco
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 38.6% less than Frisco. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Frisco, you would need $54,130 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Frisco has the same purchasing power as $54,130 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $103,916 in Frisco.
Living in Frisco vs Waco
Housing Costs
Frisco's housing index of 142 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $230,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Frisco compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $850.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Frisco and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Frisco 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 99 in Frisco and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Frisco vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Frisco 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 $126,048 in Frisco and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $109,607 and $59,639 respectively. Frisco residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,941/month to housing in Frisco vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/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 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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