New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Waco
54.0%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 84.3% | 54.0% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $51,468 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 48.9% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
New Braunfels +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.8% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.1% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 36.4 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 19.7 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, 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 New Braunfels. Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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