Hillsboro vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hillsboro
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 54.2% less than Hillsboro. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $48,633 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $115,663 in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro vs Waco
Housing Costs
Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $230,000. The $303,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $59,639 respectively. Hillsboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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