Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Waco
9.8%
White
Irving
36.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 141,925 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 9.8% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 12.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 2.0% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 29.9% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $51,468 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $28,819 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 28.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 36.8% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.4% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.1% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
Compare More Cities
Irving, TX vs New York, NYIrving, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irving, TXHouston, TX vs Irving, TXIrving, TX vs Phoenix, AZIrving, TX vs Philadelphia, PA