Suspension Bridge, Waco, Texas · The University of Houston Digital Library / Public domainDr Pepper Museum · Ichabod / CC BY-SA 3.0Steel Bridge, Waco, Texas · Curt Teich & Co. / Public domainWacoAlamoPlaza1938 · dok1 / Don O'Brien / CC BY 2.0
Waco is a mid-sized city of 140,545 in Texas, with a median household income of $47,421
and a 4.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Waco stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Waco is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Waco city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.8
Waco's overall cost of living index is 90.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Waco costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Waco, TX
National Avg
Median Home Value
$174,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,038
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$47,421
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Waco's violent crime rate is 425.9 per 100,000 residents
— 12% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
425.9 /100k
Property Crime
2126.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Waco is served primarily by WACO ISD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Waco, TX
National Avg
School District
WACO ISD
—
Elementary Schools
15
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
27.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Waco sees average highs of 58.5°F in January
and 94.5°F in July,
with 38.7 inches of annual precipitation
.
Waco's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Waco roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $174,100 and median rent is $1,038/month.
Waco's violent crime rate is 425.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2126.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Waco are operated by WACO ISD.
The district has 15 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.3:1. 27.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Waco, TX has a population of 140,545, a median household income of $47,421, and an unemployment rate of 4.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Waco averages 58.5°F in January and 94.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.7 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Waco, TX is covered by 9 ZIP codes: 76708, 76712, 76710, 76705, 76704, 76711, 76707, 76701, 76798.
The population of Waco, Texas is 140,545 with a median age of 28.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Waco: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $174,100, median household income $47,421, crime index 108 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Waco side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
