Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 77.1% | 54.0% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $51,468 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $28,819 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 24.0% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 48.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 442 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2339 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 66.6°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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