Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Waco
9.8%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 141,925 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.8% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 19.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 29.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $51,468 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $28,819 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 24.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 28.6% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 48.9% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.1% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 66.6°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, 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 Fort Worth. 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, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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