Ruston, LA 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.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in median household income ($47,421 vs $32,877). Waco leads in walk score (35 vs 25). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 17.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 22,233 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | R+30.9 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
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 →