Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Waco
9.8%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 141,925 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 54.0% | Louisville + |
| Black | 23.7% | 20.4% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $51,468 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $28,819 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 24.0% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 28.6% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 48.9% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 442 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2339 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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