Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Waco, TX
🏆 Carrollton leads 12 of 22 categories
Carrollton
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Waco
Texas
10
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
Households earn $47,959 more per year on average
68% less violent crime than Waco
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (3.7%)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Waco
Waco, TX
Pros
Homes cost $153k less ($174,100 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $517/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,555)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $47,959/yr
Higher unemployment (4.5% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$47,959
$95,380 vs $47,421/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
68% lower
137.1 vs 425.9 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 4.5% unemployment
Waco
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Waco
Median Home Value
$153k less
$174,100 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $47,421 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 4.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 101⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 85.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | WACO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F | 94.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" | 38.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 140,545 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% ✓ Higher | 47.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 12.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Waco's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Waco is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 12 of 22 categories. Carrollton wins 12 and Waco wins 10. 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 Carrollton to Waco or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $174,100 median home), income ($95,380 vs $47,421), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Waco, TX are about 100 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.