Plano vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Plano
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 31.3% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Plano, you would need $57,110 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Plano has the same purchasing power as $57,110 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $98,494 in Plano.
Living in Plano vs Waco
Housing Costs
Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $230,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano 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 99 in Plano and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Plano 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 $96,348 in Plano and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 and $59,639 respectively. Plano residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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