Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Waco
9.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 141,925 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 9.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 20.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.0% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 29.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $51,468 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 24.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 48.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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