Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Waco
9.8%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 141,925 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 29.2 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 9.8% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 54.0% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 20.4% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.0% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $28,819 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 28.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.8% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.4% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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