Waco vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Waco
Yuma
The Verdict
Living in Waco costs 9.8% less than Yuma. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Waco, you would need $83,133 in Yuma.
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 $83,133 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $67,663 in Waco.
Living in Waco vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Waco's housing index of 63 is lower Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $284,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Waco compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Waco and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Waco vs $480/month in Yuma. Waco offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Waco and 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Waco vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Waco and 87 in Yuma. 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 $49,500 in Waco and $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,639 and $58,804 respectively. Waco residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,155/month to housing in Waco vs $1,262/month in Yuma. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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