Overland Park vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Overland Park
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.7%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Overland Park has equivalent purchasing power to $58,726 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Overland Park has the same purchasing power as $58,726 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $95,783 in Overland Park.
Living in Overland Park vs Waco
Housing Costs
Overland Park's housing index of 109 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $414,000 vs $230,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Overland Park compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Overland Park and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Overland Park 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 98 in Overland Park and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Overland Park vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Overland Park and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $104,800 in Overland Park and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $98,868 and $59,639 respectively. Overland Park residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,445/month to housing in Overland Park vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Overland Park, median rent of $1,450/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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