Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
Waco
9.8%
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 141,925 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 9.8% | Portland + |
| White | 70.1% | 54.0% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 2.0% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $51,468 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $28,819 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 24.0% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 28.6% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 48.9% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 442 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 36.8% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.4% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 20.4% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 66.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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