Fayetteville AR vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 75.6% | 53.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $435,807 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 61.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.2 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA