Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 209,692 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 60.0% | 42.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $56,395 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $31,467 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 28.6% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $226,710 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 46.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.4% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 61.2°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 45.4 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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