Port St. Lucie FL 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)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
9.8%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 141,925 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 9.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 54.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 19.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $51,468 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $28,819 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 24.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 48.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 36.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 20.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Port St. Lucie, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Port St. Lucie, FLChicago, IL vs Port St. Lucie, FLHouston, TX vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhoenix, AZ vs Port St. Lucie, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs Port St. Lucie, FL