Fayetteville NC vs Flint MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Flint
2.9%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 80,835 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 34.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 0.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 4.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $36,194 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $20,799 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 17.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 34.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 50.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 19.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 23.5% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 25.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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