Kent vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 65.1% less expensive than Kent overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kent would need approximately $45,438 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 Kent has the same purchasing power as $45,438 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $123,795 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Waco
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $230,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $700.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $59,639 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 132 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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