Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 209,692 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 7.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 38.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $56,395 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $31,467 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.4% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.9% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 45.4 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA