Lexington vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lexington
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.0%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to $66,935 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $66,935 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $84,036 in Lexington.
Living in Lexington vs Waco
Housing Costs
Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $230,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 91 in Lexington and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington 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 $55,648 in Lexington and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 and $59,639 respectively. Lexington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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