Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Waco
9.8%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 141,925 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.8% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 22.4% | 20.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.0% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 29.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $51,468 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $28,819 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 24.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 48.9% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Arlington +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.8% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.4% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 20.4% | Arlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.1% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 66.6°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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