Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 141,925 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 25.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 62.9% | 20.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $28,819 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.0% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $196,465 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.4% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 66.6°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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