Waco vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Waco
Wilmington
The Verdict
Waco is 20.2% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Waco would need approximately $93,976 in Wilmington 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 Waco has the same purchasing power as $93,976 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $59,856 in Waco.
Living in Waco vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Waco's housing index of 63 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $235,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Waco compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Waco and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Waco vs $489/month in Wilmington. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Waco and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Waco vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Waco and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,500 in Waco and $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,639 and $44,731 respectively. Waco residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Waco vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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