Arlington TX vs Fayetteville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 209,692 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 38.3% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 13.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $56,395 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $31,467 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.2% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 18.1% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 46.5% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.4% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.8% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 45.4 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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