Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 68.4% | 54.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $51,468 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $28,819 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 24.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 28.6% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 48.9% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 36.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 20.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 20.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.1% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
Compare More Cities
Broken Arrow, OK vs New York, NYBroken Arrow, OK vs Los Angeles, CABroken Arrow, OK vs Chicago, ILBroken Arrow, OK vs Houston, TXBroken Arrow, OK vs Phoenix, AZBroken Arrow, OK vs Philadelphia, PA