El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Waco
9.8%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 141,925 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 9.8% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 3.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 29.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $51,468 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $28,819 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.0% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.9% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 66.6°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 36.4 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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