Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 77.1% | 38.3% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 8.2% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $226,710 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 46.5% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Fayetteville
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 40.4% | Evansville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 61.2°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Fayetteville
20.6 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.6 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Evansville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
Compare More Cities
Evansville, IN vs New York, NYEvansville, IN vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Evansville, INEvansville, IN vs Houston, TXEvansville, IN vs Phoenix, AZEvansville, IN vs Philadelphia, PA