Phoenix, AZ 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.
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 26.7 min). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $47,421). Phoenix leads in walk score (41 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.7 (#1514) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 1,650,070 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $408,770 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $65,891 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 26.7 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 35 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 106 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+30.9 |
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →
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 →