Waco TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Waco
141,925
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Waco
54.0%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.1 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 54.0% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 20.4% | 12.1% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | 24.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 6.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $435,532 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 42.4% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.1% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 48.1 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Waco, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | 27.3 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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