Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Waco
9.8%
White
Miami
34.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 141,925 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 9.8% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 13.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $51,468 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $28,819 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.0% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 28.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 36.8% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.1% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Miami +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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