New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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 Rochelle
48,198
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Waco
54.0%
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 66.1% | 54.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 17.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
New Rochelle +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
New Rochelle +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $28,819 | New Rochelle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 24.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 48.9% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Waco
2339
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 36.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 20.4% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 20.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.1% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
New Rochelle +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Rochelle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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