City Comparison

High Point vs Waco

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

Waco

Texas
83
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

1.2%

Living in Waco costs 1.2% less than High Point. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $74,107 in Waco.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
61
High Point
63
Waco
Groceries
96
High Point
95
Waco
Utilities
98
High Point
97
Waco
Transportation
92
High Point
89
Waco
Healthcare
101
High Point
93
Waco

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $74,107 in Waco.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $75,904 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Waco

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $230,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point 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 98 in High Point and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point 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 $49,200 in High Point and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 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 $1,148/month to housing in High Point vs $1,155/month in Waco. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waco is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,107 in Waco, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Waco's is 63 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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