Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Waco
9.8%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 141,925 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 9.8% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 12.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.0% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $51,468 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $28,819 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 24.0% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 28.6% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 48.9% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 36.8% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.4% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 20.4% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.2% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 66.6°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 36.4 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sacramento
27.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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