Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 51.3% | 38.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $226,710 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 46.5% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.5% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 61.2°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 45.4 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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