Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Albany
18.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 18.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 76.3% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $196,465 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Waco
20.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Albany +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Albany +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 66.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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