Concord 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)

Concord, NC

North Carolina · Population: 106,518

  • Median HH Income$84,752
  • Median Home Price$384,688
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+41.7%

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
Concord
106,518
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Concord
54.7%
Concord +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Concord
22.1%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Fayetteville
18.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Fayetteville
28.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Fayetteville
46.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Fayetteville
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Fayetteville
1999
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Fayetteville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Fayetteville
14.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +

Which City is Right for You?

Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, 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 Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Concord & Fayetteville