Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Waco
9.8%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 141,925 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 9.8% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 20.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.0% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 29.9% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $63,758 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 48.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 442 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2339 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 20.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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