Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 209,692 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 49.4% | 38.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $31,467 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 8.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 61.2°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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