Is Waco, Texas A Good Place To Live?
Right in between Austin and Dallas is a small town called Waco, Texas. We all know that Texas is an amazing place to live, and if you’re looking for affordable homes and a friendly community, this can be one of the best places for you. Texas is very safe and overall may be one of the best places to settle down.
Crime is lower in this part of Texas than in many other places, and overall, this is a great place to retire or start a family. This is a beautiful area that is in short distance from some fun day trips that will give your life excitement. Some schools will help give your kids the best education and help prepare them for the next phases in life.
One of the best things about Waco, Texas, is that there are tons of things to do and many events you can attend throughout the year. It is true that this area is known for a slower-paced life and is best for someone who enjoys the smaller town vibes, but it is a fantastic area to choose. This is part of McLennan County, and many young professionals tend to settle down here.
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Why Is Waco Texas A Good Place To Live?
The most remarkable thing about Waco is that there are tons of parks to go to with your family. If you enjoy being outdoors, this is a great place to choose to live. There are many national parks and family-friendly parks near the city. There are so many fun things to do, places to shop, and different districts to experience in Waco. Here are some of the best reasons to move to Waco Texas.
Reasonable Living Cost
In this area, you will see that 46% of the community decide to buy their properties because of the reasonable prices. Many of the homes on the market have a median home value of $125,300. This price is well below the national average, which sits around $217,500. The cost of living is much more reasonable in Waco, Texas than in many other places. This is another reason that people genuinely believe that Waco is a great place to live.
If you decide to move to Waco, you will see that 54% of the community decided to rent their homes instead of buying them. There may be many reasons for this, but the biggest reason is that the prices are more affordable. On average monthly rent is $862, which is much lower than the national average for rent per month. The national average for rent continues to be around $1,062 per month across the United States.
A Scenic Experience
One of the best things about Waco, Texas, is all of the natural areas and rivers that are in and around the area. There are many parks where you can stop and take pictures of the scenery and learn about the local environment and animal habitats. If you want a scenic view that is also incredibly interactive, you should check out Waco’s Downtown Farmers Market. It is full of vibrant colors, and each tent is set up to perfection and is absolutely picture-worthy.
Low Crime Rates
Though the crime rate is 55% higher than the national average for the total crime, it is still safer than 12% of the US cities. Crime is rapidly decreasing each year, and more people feel safe. Waco has been known for some violent crimes, and this city is 51% above the national average. Your chances of being a victim are 1 in 26. One of the beautiful things about Waco is the community comes together to enforce safer streets. Year after year, there has been a 7% decline in crimes committed.
Loads Of Recreation
Texas is known for some fun events, and there are loads of recreational activities. If you’re looking for fun things to do, look no further. This is the best place to walk around parks, eat outside during a family picnic, find big movie theaters, and more. There is a local zoo that is perfect for the nice weather, and Cottonbelt Trail is good for families who want to hike around. Lastly, there is Goat Yoga! This is one of the coolest and most unique things to do in Texas. You can do yoga with baby goats.
Lower Unemployment
The unemployment rate is 18% below the national average, meaning that most people have jobs and job opportunities. There is a real possibility for job growth in Waco, Texas, and to live comfortably. Unfortunately, the income per capita is 33% lower than the national average. The poverty level is 82% higher than the national average. If you are working in this part of Texas, you can expect the average household income to be around $40,190 per year. This is more than enough to live nicely in a good area.
What Are The Pitfalls Of Living In Waco Texas?
Waco, Texas, is one of the most livable cities in Texas that is focused on community and education. The cost of living in this area is lower than the national average. However, no city is perfect, and Waco has a few pitfalls you should be aware of.
- Environmental Factors:Â Waco does have a bigger population than other cities. You have to acknowledge the fact that the closer and bigger a city is together, the impact is bad for the environment. Waco is not the most environmentally conscious city.Â
- Poverty Rate:Â The poverty rate is exceptionally high in this area, 82% higher than the national average. That can make it hard to feel like you are supporting your local community.Â
- Homeless:Â There is a significant number of homeless people. Part of the reason for that is because the weather is super nice in Texas. The homeless population is not as high as in other areas, but it is a considerable amount.Â
- Crime: The crime rate in Waco, Texas, is higher than the national average. However, many people claim to feel safe. Like with any city, you will have to keep your wits about you and protect your property.Â
There are downfalls to any city, but many are not deal-breakers because there are many more advantages. This is a beautiful and warm place to live with many unique characteristics that the surrounding cities do not have.
What Is The Cost Of Living In Waco Texas?
According to Best Places, Waco, Texas ranks 77 out of 100 for the cost of living. This is well below the national average, but many things are cheaper there. It makes it one of the most affordable places to live in Texas. One of the most expensive things in Waco, Texas, will be utilities; here is a list of things and what they rank out of 100.
- Grocery:Â You will notice that some things in Waco, Texas, are way cheaper than anywhere else in the United States. Out of 100, Waco scores 92.4 for groceries. This is well under the national average.Â
- Health:Â Worrying about health is no problem in Waco, Texas, and much easier to manage. In this category, you will find it ranks around 91.6 out of 100.Â
- Utilities:Â Â Out of a score of 100, which is the national average, you can expect to pay much less in Waco, Texas. The ranking is 97.2 for utilities.Â
- Transportation:Â This is one of the best places to pay for transportation because it is way under the national average. Out of 100, this area ranks 72.3.Â
You will find that most of Texas is reasonably priced, but Waco is one of the best places to live on a budget. It is much cheaper to live in this area by far, and it is just as beautiful as the other cities.
Related Questions
What is the best neighborhood in Waco, Texas?
If you move to Waco, you will soon find out where the best neighborhoods are and where the worst is. You should look at the Woodway community. The property crime is 60% below the national average in this area, and most people feel safe walking around all night long if necessary.Â
Does Waco, Texas, get tornadoes?
Texas has some pretty extreme weather, and in many areas, you can experience Tornados. However, this doesn’t happen often. Most of the homes have emergency spaces for you to hide out if one ever comes too close. The important thing is to always remain calm.Â
Is Waco Texas popular?
If you were to look at the rating of popular cities in Texas, you would see that Waco rates to be the 22nd most populated city in Texas. If you go by the population, this is a pretty popular city.
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Final Thoughts
Though the crime rates may deter people from looking in Waco’s direction, like any bigger city, some crime happens. The city is taking action and ensuring that each year the crime rate lowers. Overall, it is not the most dangerous city and actually a fantastic place to live.
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Kayla is a full-time content creator and her passion is everything green. When she's not writing city-based content at UpgradedHome, her focus is on the environment and sustainability. Kayla loves to travel and is always looking forward to her next vacation!
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