Surprise AZ 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 141,925 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 75.0% | 54.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $51,468 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $28,819 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.4% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 24.0% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 28.6% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 48.9% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 36.8% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.4% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 20.4% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.1% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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