Fayetteville AR vs Wilmington 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 75.6% | 48.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $57,673 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $35,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 37.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $419,326 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 63.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 58.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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