Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 209,692 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 36.7% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 46.8% | 42.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $226,710 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 61.2°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 45.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, 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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