Marion, IA 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.
Marion
80.8
#63 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Marion leads in crime level (3.4 vs 11.7). Marion leads in median household income ($81,519 vs $47,421). Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 19.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Marion, IA | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 80.8 (#63) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 42,213 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $281,229 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $81,519 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 19.2 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 32 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.9 | R+30.9 |
B-
80.8 Score
Marion, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$281,229
Population
42,213
Crime
Low
Walk Score
32
Midwest
View Marion, IA →
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 →