Abilene TX vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 66.6% | 54.0% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.0% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $51,468 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $28,819 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.4% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 24.0% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.9% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Abilene +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Abilene +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Abilene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.4% | Abilene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.6°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 36.4 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 19.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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