Waco TX vs Warren MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Waco
54.0%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Waco
20.4%
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 138,128 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 54.0% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 20.4% | 20.9% | Warren + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 2.8% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 7.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Warren
$200,632
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $200,632 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Waco +
Warren
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.1% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.0% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 26.9 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, 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 471 in Warren. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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