City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Raleigh and Frisco is significant: $85,395 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $2,014 in Frisco.
Frisco is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Raleigh makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Frisco is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Raleigh at $1,572 average has pockets that run $1,372 and others at $1,972: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Raleigh and Frisco are 1,050 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $442 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $150,212 in Frisco, up $64,817 (76%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 43 in Frisco, down 99 points (70%).
The move
Frisco and Raleigh are 1,050 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $442 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $85,395 in Raleigh, down $64,817 (43%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 142 in Raleigh, up 99 points (230%).
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Raleigh and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 22% cheaper than Frisco
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Raleigh is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $442/month back in your pocket ($5,304/year). Over five years that's $26,520 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Frisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Raleigh is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
76% higher
Frisco's median income is 76% higher than Raleigh
Raleigh
$85,395
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $85,395 in Raleigh, so typical pay runs 76% higher in Frisco (about $64,817 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Frisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Raleigh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
70% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 70% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% lower in Frisco. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Frisco is the easier city. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Frisco weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Frisco
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Frisco sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Raleigh
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 76% higher ($150,212), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 70% lower than Raleigh (43 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Frisco: Frisco scores 86/100 versus 49/100 in Raleigh, with typical rent at $2,014 versus $1,572. I would vet the exact ZIP in Raleigh before trading 37 safety points for housing savings.
Raleigh rent at $1,572/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,572 in Raleigh and $2,014 in Frisco.
If safety drives your move, Frisco is the stronger match (86/100 safety versus 49/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Raleigh, treat $1,572/month rent and $85,395 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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