Fayetteville NC vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 102,558 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.2% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 42.3% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 63.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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