Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Waco
9.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 9.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 26.6% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.0% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Albany +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $51,468 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $28,819 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 24.0% | Albany + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 28.6% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.1% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 66.6°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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