Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arvada, CO
VS
Waco, TX
🏆 Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories
Arvada
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$106,014 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
123,066
Waco
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,421
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
140,545 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arvada, CO
Pros
Households earn $58,593 more per year on average
33% less violent crime than Waco
More college-educated — 47.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (3.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 95°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $553,000
Higher rents — median is $1,706/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Waco
Property crime (2478.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Waco, TX
Pros
Homes cost $379k less ($174,100 vs $553,000)
Rent averages $668/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,706)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Arvada
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Arvada by $58,593/yr
Higher unemployment (4.5% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arvada
Median Income
$58,593
$106,014 vs $47,421/yr
Arvada
Violent Crime
33% lower
285.6 vs 425.9 per 100k
Arvada
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.5% unemployment
Waco
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Waco
Median Home Value
$379k less
$174,100 vs $553,000
Waco
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 94.5°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $553,000⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,706⚠ High | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $106,014 ✓ Higher | $47,421 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 18.7% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 92 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.7:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.6% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 85.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County School District No. R-1 | WACO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.2°F | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 94.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.9" ✓ Drier | 38.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 54.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 123,066 | 140,545 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.2 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.2% ✓ Higher | 47.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.5% ✓ More | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arvada's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Waco's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Waco is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arvada leads 12 of 23 categories. Arvada wins 12 and Waco wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arvada to Waco or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($553,000 vs $174,100 median home), income ($106,014 vs $47,421), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arvada, CO and Waco, TX are about 725 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.