Pasadena TX 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)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Pasadena
125,983
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Waco
9.8%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 9.8% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 18.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 2.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $51,468 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $28,819 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.4% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 24.0% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.6% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 48.9% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 20.4% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | 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.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, 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 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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