Raleigh 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 102,558 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 7.2% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 27.5% | 12.9% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 2.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $58,568 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $31,987 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 17.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 25.0% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 35.4% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.8% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.9% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 63.4°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Raleigh 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 Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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