Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Waco
9.8%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 9.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 19.9% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.0% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $51,468 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $28,819 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 24.0% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 28.6% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 36.8% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 20.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 20.4% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.1% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | 66.6°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Stamford, CTLos Angeles, CA vs Stamford, CTChicago, IL vs Stamford, CTHouston, TX vs Stamford, CTPhoenix, AZ vs Stamford, CTPhiladelphia, PA vs Stamford, CT