Fayetteville NC vs McKinney TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Fayetteville, NC

North Carolina · Population: 209,692

  • Median HH Income$56,395
  • Median Home Price$226,710
  • Unemployment8.2%
  • Bachelor's+28.6%

McKinney, TX

Texas · Population: 148,848

  • Median HH Income$71,843
  • Median Home Price$487,346
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+18.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
McKinney
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
18.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
McKinney
2339

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
McKinney
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
McKinney
35.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Fayetteville & McKinney