Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Waco
9.8%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 9.8% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 1.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 2.0% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 29.9% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $51,468 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $28,819 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 24.0% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 28.6% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.9% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 36.8% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 20.4% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.1% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Ontario +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 66.6°F | Ontario + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 36.4 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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