Johnson City vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Johnson City
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 2.4% less expensive than Johnson City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Johnson City would need approximately $73,235 in Waco to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $73,235 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $76,807 in Johnson City.
Living in Johnson City vs Waco
Housing Costs
Johnson City's housing index of 66 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $230,000. The $46,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 and $59,639 respectively. Johnson City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/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 3 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases