San Diego 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Waco
9.8%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 141,925 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 9.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 5.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.0% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $51,468 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $28,819 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 24.0% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 28.6% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | San Diego, 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
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 36.8% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 20.4% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 20.4% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.1% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 66.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 36.4 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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