New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Waco
9.8%
White
New York
35.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 141,925 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 9.8% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 22.7% | 20.4% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 2.0% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
New York +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $51,468 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $28,819 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 24.0% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 28.6% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Waco
2339
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 36.8% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 20.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.4% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.1% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 66.6°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
New York +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | New York, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, New York 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 York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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