Sparks vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sparks
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 43.4% less than Sparks. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sparks, you would need $52,311 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sparks has the same purchasing power as $52,311 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $107,530 in Sparks.
Living in Sparks vs Waco
Housing Costs
Sparks's housing index of 162 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $230,000. The $270,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Sparks compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Sparks and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Sparks 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 90 in Sparks and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Sparks vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 88 in Sparks 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 $67,200 in Sparks and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,471 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 $1,568/month to housing in Sparks vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Sparks, median rent of $1,475/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 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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