Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Waco
9.8%
White
Plano
53.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 141,925 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 9.8% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 2.0% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $51,468 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $28,819 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.4% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 24.0% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 28.6% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 48.9% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 36.8% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 20.4% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 20.4% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.1% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Plano, 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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