Living in Waco, Texas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Waco · Census data 2020–2024
Waco has 143,570 residents with a median age of 29.7. The median household income is $54,365 (31% lower than the Texas median), the median home value is $221,700, the median rent is $1,165/month.
Waco at a glance
- Population
- 143,570
- Median age
- 29.7State: 35.6
- Median household income
- $54,365State: $78,476
- Median home value
- $221,700State: $283,800
- Median rent
- $1,165/moState: $1,403
- Homeowners
- 49.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Waco a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%.
Cons: Median household income 31% lower than the Texas median; a poverty rate of 23.1%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Waco
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Waco the median home value is $221,700, 33% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,165 per month, which is 34.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,737 a month in housing costs.
Waco median household income
The median household income in Waco is $54,365 and the income per person is $30,942. 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Texas: 13.8%).
Housing in Waco: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 61,163
- Owner-occupied
- 49.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 50.6%
- Vacant
- 11.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.51
Waco demographics
- Population
- 143,570
- Median age
- 29.7
- Under 18
- 22.8%
- 65 and older
- 13.4%
- Households
- 53,906
- Foreign-born
- 10.5%
- Veterans
- 6.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Waco ›
Education in Waco
28.7% of adults 25 and older in Waco have a bachelor's degree or higher (Texas: 33.8%), and 11.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Waco
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 9.7%
- Drive alone
- 75.7%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 2.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.9%
Waco vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waco | 143,570 | $54,365 | $221,700 | $1,165 |
| Beverly Hills | 1,590 | $47,313 | $156,700 | $942 |
| Woodway | 9,570 | $115,108 | $370,500 | $1,653 |
| Willow Grove | 2,080 | $89,036 | $269,600 | — |
| Bellmead | 10,566 | $52,075 | $155,100 | $1,107 |
| Lacy-Lakeview | 7,274 | $56,924 | $160,600 | $917 |
| Hewitt | 16,432 | $83,511 | $273,300 | $1,538 |
| Robinson | 12,800 | $99,289 | $302,200 | $1,419 |
| China Spring | 1,126 | $70,792 | $248,400 | — |
More for people moving to Waco
Waco ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Waco: FAQ
What is the median household income in Waco, TX?
The median household income in Waco is $54,365, 31% lower than the Texas median of $78,476 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Waco?
The median home value in Waco is $221,700, compared with $283,800 in Texas.
How much is rent in Waco?
The median gross rent in Waco is $1,165 per month, about 34.6% of household income.
Is Waco, TX a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%. Minuses: median household income 31% lower than the Texas median; a poverty rate of 23.1%.
What is the median age in Waco?
The median age in Waco is 29.7 years (Texas: 35.6).
How long is the commute in Waco?
The average commute to work in Waco is 19 minutes; 9.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Waco?
The unemployment rate in Waco is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Waco?
28.7% of adults in Waco have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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