Oklahoma City vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Oklahoma City
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 4.8% less than Oklahoma City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City, you would need $71,552 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City has the same purchasing power as $71,552 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $78,614 in Oklahoma City.
Living in Oklahoma City vs Waco
Housing Costs
Oklahoma City's housing index of 68 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $230,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Oklahoma City and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Oklahoma 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 92 in Oklahoma City and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Oklahoma City vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Oklahoma 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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,745 and $59,639 respectively. Oklahoma City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,294/month to housing in Oklahoma City vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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