Gresham vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 54.2% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $48,633 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $48,633 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $115,663 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs Waco
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $230,000. The $229,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Gresham and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 109 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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