Peoria AZ 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)
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
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
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
42.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
Waco
9.8%
White
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Peoria
3.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Peoria
19.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 141,925 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 9.8% | Peoria + |
| White | 72.6% | 54.0% | Peoria + |
| Black | 3.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,403 | $51,468 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,831 | $28,819 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.4% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 24.0% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.5% | 28.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$488,428
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $488,428 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.5% | 48.9% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
450
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 36.8% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 20.4% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 20.4% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.1% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | 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.)
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
31.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Peoria, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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