Surprise, 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.
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Surprise leads in crime level (3.0 vs 11.7). Surprise leads in median household income ($87,756 vs $47,421). Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71 (#1038) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 158,285 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $419,342 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $87,756 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 21 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 3.0 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+30.9 |
C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, 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 →