Lubbock TX 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)
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
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
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lubbock
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lubbock
30.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lubbock
6.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Lubbock
8.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Lubbock
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 141,925 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 64.6% | 54.0% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 8.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.0% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 36.8% | 29.9% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lubbock
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lubbock
4.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,487 | $51,468 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,629 | $28,819 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.0% | 24.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.9% | 28.6% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lubbock
$210,477
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,477 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 48.9% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lubbock
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
18.4%
Lubbock +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
17.6%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 20.4% | Lubbock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.1% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.1 in | 36.4 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lubbock
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.4 min | 19.7 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, 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 442 in Lubbock. 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, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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