Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Fayetteville
30.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 30.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 7.6% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 38.3% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $31,467 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.2% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 28.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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