Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 141,925 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 57.8% | 54.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.0% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $51,468 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $28,819 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 24.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.6% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 66.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. 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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