Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 141,925 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 83.6% | 54.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $51,468 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,819 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 28.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 48.9% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 66.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 36.4 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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