Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Waco metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#15. Marlin

- Niche grade: C+
- Public school grade: C+
- Population: 5,500

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#14. Lacy-Lakeview

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: C
- Population: 7,247

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#13. Bellmead

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 10,550

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#12. Mexia

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 6,867

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#11. Beverly Hills

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 1,631

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#10. Hillsboro

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 8,375

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#9. Groesbeck

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 3,634

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#8. Waco

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 141,925

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#7. Robinson

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 12,668

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#6. West

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 2,571

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#5. Clifton

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 3,489

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#4. McGregor

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 5,608

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#3. Lorena

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 1,506

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#2. Hewitt

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 16,244

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#1. Woodway

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 9,483