Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
30.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 209,692 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 30.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 38.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,395 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,467 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Fayetteville
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Fayetteville
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 40.4% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.9% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 61.2°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Fayetteville
20.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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