Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Waco
29.2
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 141,925 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 29.2 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 50.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 35.7% | 20.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 2.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $51,468 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $28,819 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 24.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 28.6% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 36.8% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.4% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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