Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Waco
9.8%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 141,925 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 9.8% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 6.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 29.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $51,468 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $28,819 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 24.0% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.9% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.4% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.1% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 66.6°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 36.4 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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