Lakewood CO 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)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 141,925 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 76.0% | 54.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.0% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $51,468 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $28,819 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 24.0% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 28.6% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.9% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.0% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.4% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.4% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 66.6°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 36.4 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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