Waco, TX vs Wilmington, NC
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.
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Wilmington
67.8
#1388 nationally
Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 21.2 min). Wilmington leads in median household income ($54,891 vs $47,421). Waco leads in walk score (35 vs 32).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waco, TX | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#281) | 67.8 (#1388) |
| Population | 144,816 | 119,238 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $197,359 | $421,733 |
| Median Household Income | $47,421 | $54,891 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 101 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+30.9 | D+0.6 |
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 →
D+
67.8 Score
Wilmington, NC
Port City on the Cape Fear
Median Home
$421,733
Population
119,238
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Wilmington, NC →