Albany GA vs Fayetteville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Albany
18.9%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 18.9% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 76.3% | 42.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $226,710 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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