Discover 8 Small Towns Near Waco TX – 2023 Update
We picked out the best small towns near Waco TX in 2023 so that you can enjoy a quiet lifestyle in a tight-knit community while being close to a big city.
If you plan to move near Waco or are looking for a quick day-trip away from the city, then this article will give you all the details you need.
Waco is a bustling, fast-growing city of 135,000 residents in Central Texas that offers affordable homes, a reasonable cost of living, and a hot job market.
But, not everyone wants to live in such a big city, so we looked at all of the small towns near Waco TX while taking into consideration the safety, cost of living, and overall livability of each community.
Most of the towns on the list are just a few minutes away from Waco, so they are perfect places to consider moving to if you want to experience some Texas small town charm while being able to easily access Waco.
Small Towns near Waco TX – Our Research Methodology
To develop our list of the best small cities near Waco TX, we first had to define how “small” these small towns should be. Therefore, we set a population limit of 15,000 residents or less to be considered on this list.
We also needed to ensure that they were indeed close to Waco, so we set a maximum radius of a 45 minute drive from downtown Waco.
Next, we compiled all the data and statistics we could come across from verifiable sources such as Areavibes, Bestplaces, and Zillow.
These resources helped us to confirm the livability and desirability of these areas based on several key factors, including:
- Living cost index
- Home prices and availability
- Available amenities
- Quality of school system
- Crime rates
- Arts and cultural experiences
- Overall appeal
We compared all of these features and added up our results to come up with the top eight small towns near Waco TX that are great choices to relocate to or even just visit if you are on a road trip in this area.
Best Small Towns near Waco TX for 2023 – Our Top 8
8. Lorena
Population: 1,755
Cost of Living Index: 1% Below Texas Average
Average Home Price: $350,000
Distance from Waco: 15 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Lorena kicks off our list of the best small towns near Waco TX due to its affordable cost of living and cozy small town atmosphere.
It is just a 15 minute drive south from Waco and is located right next to I-35, which makes it very convenient for commuters.
Lorena is also quiet and safe, with crime rates that are 37% lower than the national average. There is also a small main street area on Center Street in the middle of town.
7. West
Population: 2,986
Cost of Living Index: 10% Below Texas Average
Average Home Price: $180,000
Distance from Waco: 25 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
The small town of West, Texas is just 25 minutes away from Waco and is one of the cheapest on this list of small places to live near Waco TX.
The cost of living here is 10% below the Texas state average and 17% lower than the national average. West, Texas is also safer than 81% of the cities in the US, with crime rates that are 73% lower than the national average.
This close-knit community is known as the “Czech Heritage Capital of Texas” and offers a small commercial district with some fantastic dining and shopping places that are a must-visit in the area.
Don’t miss local favorites such as the Czech Stop, Slovacek’s, and Olde Czech Corner Antiques.
There are even some cultural points of interest like the History Of West Museum that you can visit.
6. Valley Mills
Population: 1,180
Cost of Living Index: 12% Below Texas Average
Average Home Price: $280,000
Distance from Waco: 30 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Valley Mills is a small and close-knit community with the smallest population on this list, which makes it one of the best small towns near Waco TX to consider for those who truly want a place where they can know everybody.
Perhaps that’s why Valley Mills is also the safest on this list. Valley Mills’ crime rates are an impressive 93% lower than the national average.
Its small community makes it an excellent place for families and retirees as well. There is also a small downtown with a traditional Texan main street down Avenue C that features historic buildings with antique stores and markets.
5. Axtell
Population: 2,190
Cost of Living Index: 9% Below Texas Average
Average Home Price: $240,000
Distance from Waco: 20 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Axtell, Texas is located about a 20 minute drive northeast of Waco and is an extremely quiet suburban/rural-type town.
Although this town is mostly a residential area with very limited retail stores, it is probably best known for its strong school system, as it features the well-rated Axtell High School and Axtell Elementary School right in the heart of town.
There are also numerous baseball fields and a small football stadium, which helps add to the small town atmosphere that Texas is known for.
4. Robinson
Population: 11,926
Cost of Living Index: 2% Above Texas Average
Average Home Price: $285,000
Distance from Waco: 15 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Robinson, Texas is a suburb of Waco just 15 minutes to the south. It is known as a relatively affordable and safe community, with crime rates that are 33% lower than the US average.
The town is filled with a great selection of restaurants and shops, so residents here don’t even need to leave the area if they don’t want to.
There is also a big presence of education and sports here. Robinson’s school district is one of the best in the area and it is home to the Robinson Rockets football team that provides thrills every Friday night in the fall.
3. Clifton
Population: 3,446
Cost of Living Index: 11% Below Texas Average
Average Home Price: $154,000
Distance from Waco: 45 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Clifton is a small town that oozes with charm and features numerous cultural attractions, such as the Bosque Arts Center and Bosque Museum, along with a bustling historic downtown district that is home to many locally-owned restaurants, antiques stores, and cafes, and is the center for many annual festivals.
This lively town, which is also known as “The Norwegian Capital of Texas,” seems to offer a bit of everything, yet it features the cheapest home values on this list.
Clifton’s excellent affordability and well-rounded community makes it one of the best small towns near Waco TX for those who are looking for a great value.
It is also quite a safe location, with crime rates that are 78% lower than the rest of the US.
2. Hewitt
Population: 14,937
Cost of Living Index: 1% Above Texas Average
Average Home Price: $282,000
Distance from Waco: 15 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Hewitt is a fast-growing community that also has the highest population on our list. Just 15 minutes south of Waco, it is one of the best small towns near Waco TX for those who desire a quiet, tree-lined suburb, but want all the amenities of a larger town.
You can find virtually any type of restaurant and retail store in Hewitt, yet the town does not feel as big as it is.
It is also a pretty safe spot, with crime rates that are 57% lower than the US average.
Meanwhile, the town features several public parks and is close to many of Waco’s best amenities and things to do as well.
1. Woodway
Population: 9,024
Cost of Living Index: 9% Above Texas Average
Average Home Price: $370,000
Distance from Waco: 10 minutes
Location: Check on Google Maps
Woodway tops our list as the best small town near Waco TX for 2023. This small suburb is located just outside of the city and is the closest community to Waco on this list.
It is the home to a lot of families, retirees, and young professionals due to its low crime rates, which are 55% lower than the US average, and great entertainment options, including numerous restaurants, shops, and the Richland Mall in neighboring Richland Hills.
Woodway also offers some excellent access to nature, including four public parks with hiking and biking trails, Lake Waco, and Carleen Bright Arboretum, a 16-acre botanical garden.
Best Small Towns near Waco TX – Summary
After going through all the data, we have determined that the best small towns near Waco are:
- Woodway
- Hewitt
- Clifton
- Robinson
- Axtell
- Valley Mills
- West
- Lorena
We are sure that all of these small towns offer the coziness and Texas charm that you are looking for. They are all close to Waco, yet offer their own flavor of living that allows you to experience it all.
If you would like to explore more parts of Texas, read through our latest findings of the top cities in The Lone Star State for 2023.
