Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Waco
9.8%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 141,925 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 9.8% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 54.0% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 2.0% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $51,468 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $28,819 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 24.0% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 28.6% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 36.8% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.0% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 20.4% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 20.4% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 36.4 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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