Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 141,925 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 41.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 37.5% | 20.4% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 2.0% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $28,819 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 28.6% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 66.6°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 36.4 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY