Vancouver WA 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)
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vancouver
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Vancouver
37.5
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
Waco
9.8%
White
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Vancouver
3.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Vancouver
17.2%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Vancouver
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 141,925 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 9.8% | Vancouver + |
| White | 70.6% | 54.0% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 3.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.0% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 17.2% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Vancouver
5.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,156 | $51,468 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,839 | $28,819 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $63,758 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 24.0% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 28.6% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vancouver
$510,577
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,577 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.9% | 48.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
3409
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 442 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 36.8% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
41.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.1°F | 66.6°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Vancouver
25.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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