Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Waco
9.8%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 141,925 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 9.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 8.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 29.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $51,468 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $28,819 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 24.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.6% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 36.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 36.4 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX