Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
229,228
Spokane +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 141,925 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 81.0% | 54.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.0% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $51,468 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $28,819 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 24.0% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 28.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 48.9% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 36.8% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.0% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 20.4% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.4% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.1% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 66.6°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 36.4 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Spokane 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 has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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