City Comparison

Springdale vs Waco

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

Waco

Texas
83
Very Affordable
$230,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.8%, with Waco being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to $71,552 in Waco.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
86
Springdale
63
Waco
Groceries
97
Springdale
95
Waco
Utilities
93
Springdale
97
Waco
Transportation
91
Springdale
89
Waco
Healthcare
82
Springdale
93
Waco

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $71,552 in Waco.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $78,614 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Waco

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $230,000. The $69,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,488 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale 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 93 in Springdale and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Springdale and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,100 in Springdale and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $59,639 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/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 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waco is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,552 in Waco, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while Waco's is 63 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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