Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 209,692 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 11.7% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 42.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $226,710 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.5% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.9% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.4 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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