St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 141,925 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 45.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 43.1% | 20.4% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.0% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $51,468 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $28,819 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 24.0% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 28.6% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $196,465 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Waco
36.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 36.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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