Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Waco
9.8%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 9.8% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 54.0% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.0% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $51,468 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $28,819 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 24.0% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 28.6% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 48.9% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 20.4% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 20.4% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.1% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 36.4 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
30.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, 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 Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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