Naperville vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Naperville
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.9%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to $55,580 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $55,580 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $101,205 in Naperville.
Living in Naperville vs Waco
Housing Costs
Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $230,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Naperville and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville 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 $118,254 in Naperville and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $59,639 respectively. Naperville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,759/month to housing in Naperville vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/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 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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