Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Waco
9.8%
White
Newark
16.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 141,925 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 9.8% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 46.7% | 20.4% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 29.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.8% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 20.4% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 66.6°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Newark, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Newark, NJChicago, IL vs Newark, NJHouston, TX vs Newark, NJNewark, NJ vs Phoenix, AZNewark, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA