Phoenix 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Waco
9.8%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 141,925 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 9.8% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 7.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.0% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 29.9% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $51,468 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $28,819 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 24.0% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 28.6% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 48.9% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 36.8% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.0% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.4% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 20.4% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 36.4 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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