Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Waco
9.8%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 9.8% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 4.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 2.0% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 29.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $51,468 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $28,819 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 24.0% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 48.9% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 36.8% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 20.4% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.1% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA