Aiken, SC vs Waco, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aiken
69.5
#1191 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in walk score (35 vs 24). Aiken leads in median household income ($65,712 vs $47,421). Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 15.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aiken, SC | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1191) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 32,947 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,439 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $65,712 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 23.2 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 24 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.9 | R+30.9 |
D+
69.5 Score
Aiken, SC
Small South Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,439
Population
32,947
Crime
High
Walk Score
24
Southeast
View Aiken, SC →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →