Moving to Waco
What you need to know before relocating to Waco, Texas. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Waco a Good Place to Live?
Waco presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($62,743) trails the national median; longer-than-average commute (126696 min).
Waco at a Glance
Cost of Living in Waco
The median rent in Waco is $1,115/month, while the median home value is $250,500. With a median household income of $62,743, residents spend roughly 21% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Waco metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Waco has a median household income of $62,743, which is 16% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Waco
The violent crime rate in Waco is 406 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2238 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Texas
Texas has a high school graduation rate of 86% and per-pupil spending of $14,257/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
33% of Texas adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Texas has 232 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 16.7% uninsured rate, and 2.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Texas is 77.3 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Waco
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($1,115/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($250,500) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($62,743) trails the national median
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (126696 min)
- ✗High uninsured rate (16.7%)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waco a good place to live?⌄
Waco has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($62,743) trails the national median and longer-than-average commute (126696 min) against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Waco?⌄
The median rent in Waco is $1,115/month and the median home value is $250,500. The median household income is $62,743. Overall the metro is considered affordable.
Is Waco safe?⌄
Waco has a violent crime rate of 406 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Waco?⌄
Waco has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $62,743.