Fayetteville AR vs North Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 75.6% | 39.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $35,740 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 28.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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