Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 25.6% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 42.3% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $31,467 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 28.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $226,710 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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