Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Waco
9.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 141,925 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 9.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 22.9% | 20.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.0% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 29.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $51,468 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $28,819 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 24.0% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 28.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 20.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.1% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. 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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