Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
9.8%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 141,925 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 9.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 54.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $51,468 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $28,819 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 24.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 28.6% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 48.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 442 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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