Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Waco
9.8%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 54.0% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.0% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $51,468 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $28,819 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 24.0% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 28.6% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 36.8% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 13.0% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 20.4% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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