Helena, AL 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.
Helena
74.5
#582 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Helena leads in crime level (2.0 vs 11.7). Waco leads in walk score (35 vs 12). Helena leads in median household income ($107,360 vs $47,421).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Helena, AL | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.5 (#582) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 22,117 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $367,018 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $107,360 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 12 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 2.0 | 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+40.8 | R+30.9 |
C
74.5 Score
Helena, AL
Small Alabama city with local appeal
Median Home
$367,018
Population
22,117
Crime
Low
Walk Score
12
Southeast
View Helena, AL →
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 →