Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 70.3% | 54.0% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 29.9% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Pueblo +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Pueblo +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $51,468 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $28,819 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.0% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 48.9% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Pueblo +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Waco
15.1%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.8% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.4% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 20.4% | Pueblo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 66.6°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 36.4 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pueblo leads in median household income at $55,305, 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 512 in Pueblo. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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