Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 209,692 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 38.3% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 13.0% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $56,395 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $31,467 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 18.1% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 28.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.8% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 45.4 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA