Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 209,692 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 38.3% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 13.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $56,395 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $31,467 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.6% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 46.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Fayetteville
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Fayetteville
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.4% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.8% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.5% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.9% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 61.2°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 45.4 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA