Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 141,925 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 11.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 76.8% | 20.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $196,465 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.9% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2339 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.4% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 66.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 36.4 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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