Spokane Valley WA 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)
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
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
Spokane Valley
105,460
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Spokane Valley
37.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 85.1% | 54.0% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,722 | $51,468 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,235 | $28,819 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 24.0% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.8% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,734 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 48.9% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
3409
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 36.8% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.4% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 20.4% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | 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.)
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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