Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 209,692 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 38.3% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.1% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $56,395 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $31,467 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.2% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 18.1% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 28.6% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.4% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 45.4 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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