New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Waco
9.8%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 9.8% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 30.6% | 20.4% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.0% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 29.9% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $51,468 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $28,819 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 28.6% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Waco
2339
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 20.4% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 20.4% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.1% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 66.6°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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