El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 209,692 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 38.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 13.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Fayetteville
$56,395
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $56,395 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.4% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 45.4 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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