Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Waco
9.8%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 141,925 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.8% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 54.0% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $51,468 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $28,819 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 24.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 28.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 48.9% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 36.8% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.4% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 20.4% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.1% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 36.4 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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