Lubbock vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lubbock
Waco
The Verdict
Lubbock is 0.0% less expensive than Waco overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lubbock would need approximately $75,000 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 Lubbock has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $75,000 in Lubbock.
Living in Lubbock vs Waco
Housing Costs
Lubbock's housing index of 59 is lower Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $175,000 vs $230,000. The $55,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,576 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Lubbock compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Lubbock and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Lubbock 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 96 in Lubbock and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Lubbock vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Lubbock 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 $49,834 in Lubbock and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,041 and $59,639 respectively. Lubbock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,163/month to housing in Lubbock vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/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 Transportation, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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