Waco TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waco
141,925
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Waco
20.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.9 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 54.0% | 39.1% | Waco + |
| Black | 20.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 11.6% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.5% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $580,173 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 41.1% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 32.8 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Waco, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Waco, TXChicago, IL vs Waco, TXHouston, TX vs Waco, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Waco, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Waco, TX