San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Waco
9.8%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 141,925 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 9.8% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 7.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 29.9% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
Waco
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $51,468 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $28,819 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 24.0% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 28.6% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 48.9% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Waco
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Waco
2339
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 36.8% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.1% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 36.4 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Antonio, TXLos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TXChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TXHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TXPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX