Waco vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Waco
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Waco is 1.2% less expensive than Winston-Salem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Waco would need approximately $75,904 in Winston-Salem 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 $75,904 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $74,107 in Waco.
Living in Waco vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Waco's housing index of 63 is equal to Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $250,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Waco compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Waco and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Waco vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 97 in Waco and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Waco vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Waco and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,639 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Waco vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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