Fayetteville NC vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 39.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 42.3% | 9.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $507,575 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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