Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Waco
9.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 141,925 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 28.4% | 20.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $51,468 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,819 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.0% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 28.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 66.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX