Fayetteville NC vs Waco 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 141,925 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 38.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 42.3% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $51,468 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $28,819 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 24.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, 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%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 66.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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