Surprise vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Surprise
Waco
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 24.1% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Surprise, you would need $60,437 in Waco.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Surprise has the same purchasing power as $60,437 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $93,072 in Surprise.
Living in Surprise vs Waco
Housing Costs
Surprise's housing index of 105 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $230,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise 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 102 in Surprise and 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise 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 $85,500 in Surprise and $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $59,639 respectively. Surprise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,995/month to housing in Surprise vs $1,155/month in Waco. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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