Waco TX vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Waco
54.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 118,578 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.7% | Waco + |
| White | 54.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 20.4% | 14.9% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.3% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 8.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $265,013 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 46.8% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.7% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 20.0 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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