Roswell GA 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)
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Roswell
92,577
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roswell
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Roswell
40.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
Waco
9.8%
White
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Roswell
11.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Roswell
16.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Roswell
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,577 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 9.8% | Roswell + |
| White | 65.0% | 54.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 11.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.0% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 16.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roswell
$57,405
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $124,422 | $51,468 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $65,454 | $28,819 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 24.0% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 28.6% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roswell
$662,209
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $662,209 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% | 48.9% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 442 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2339 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roswell
17.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 36.8% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.0% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 20.4% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 20.4% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.1% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roswell
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roswell
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roswell
29.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Roswell, GA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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