Waco TX vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waco
141,925
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Waco
54.0%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.7 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 54.0% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 20.4% | 9.7% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 18.4% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $204,104 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Waco +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.5% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 20.2 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, 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 449 in Wichita. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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