2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Waco

Texas (TX)

Best for: Students, families and remote workers who value central Texas access and a growing riverfront city

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability80.9/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population147,788

Median Home$245,000

Median Rent$1,150

Median Household Income$52,000

Cost of Living~91.0 (US=100; 2024 city/metro estimate)

Average Commute19.0 min

Unemployment~4.0% metro (2026)

Metro AreaWaco, TX

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

80.9overall

Housing & Financial Reality95.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living93.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability74.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity78.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness80.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place76.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion69.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging90.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture78.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity80.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionLow to moderate. Typical commutes are relatively short, with congestion concentrated on major corridors and peak periods.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks, nearby regional destinations and day-trip options provide useful weekend variety.

WalkabilityAbout 39/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, and larger metro airports expand domestic and international options.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks and regional recreation provide useful outdoor options, with access varying by neighborhood.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical access to routine and advanced care.

Air QualityGenerally manageable, with seasonal pollen, ozone, smoke or weather-related episodes as the main concerns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide a useful everyday social fabric.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Waco is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #189 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest livability advantages are baylor; central texas location; riverfront; tourism; housing value., while the clearest tradeoffs are heat; lower wages; car dependence; severe-weather risk; smaller job market. The profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Waco combines baylor with the everyday tradeoffs of a midsize U.S. city. Neighborhood choice has an outsized effect on commute, walkability and overall quality of life.

STRENGTHS