Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Waco
9.8%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 9.8% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 54.0% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.0% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $51,468 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $28,819 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 24.0% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 48.9% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Waco
20.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Waco
16.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.8% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 20.4% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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