Santa Fe vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Santa Fe
Waco
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 41.0%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Santa Fe has equivalent purchasing power to $53,205 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Santa Fe has the same purchasing power as $53,205 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $105,723 in Santa Fe.
Living in Santa Fe vs Waco
Housing Costs
Santa Fe's housing index of 153 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $480,000 vs $230,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Santa Fe compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Santa Fe and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Santa Fe vs $451/month in Waco. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Santa Fe and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Santa Fe vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 95 in Santa Fe 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 $61,982 in Santa Fe and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,976 and $59,639 respectively. Waco residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,446/month to housing in Santa Fe vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Santa Fe, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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