Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Waco
9.8%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 29.2 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.8% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 54.0% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.0% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $51,468 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 24.0% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 28.6% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 36.8% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.0% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 20.4% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.2% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 15.1% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 66.6°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 36.4 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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