Glendale vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Glendale
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 36.1% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $55,088 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $55,088 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $102,108 in Glendale.
Living in Glendale vs Waco
Housing Costs
Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $230,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale 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 $70,100 in Glendale and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $59,639 respectively. Glendale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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