Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 141,925 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 49.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 38.7% | 20.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $51,468 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $28,819 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 442 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2339 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.4% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 66.6°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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