Riverside CA 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Waco
9.8%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 141,925 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 9.8% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 6.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 2.0% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 29.9% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $51,468 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $28,819 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 24.0% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 48.9% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 36.8% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.4% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.4% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.1% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 36.4 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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