Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Waco
9.8%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 141,925 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 9.8% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 54.0% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 2.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $51,468 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $28,819 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 24.0% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 28.6% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 48.9% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.8% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.4% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 15.1% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 66.6°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 36.4 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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