Roswell vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roswell
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 36.1% less expensive than Roswell overall. A household earning $75,000 in Roswell would need approximately $55,088 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 Roswell has the same purchasing power as $55,088 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $102,108 in Roswell.
Living in Roswell vs Waco
Housing Costs
Roswell's housing index of 187 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $647,000 vs $230,000. The $417,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Roswell compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Roswell and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Roswell vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Roswell and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Roswell vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Roswell and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $108,800 in Roswell and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $96,283 and $59,639 respectively. Roswell residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,539/month to housing in Roswell vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Roswell, 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 124 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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