Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Waco
9.8%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 9.8% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 54.0% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.0% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $51,468 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $28,819 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $63,758 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 24.0% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 28.6% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 48.9% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 442 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2339 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 36.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.4% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 20.4% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Bloomington +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bloomington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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