Fayetteville NC vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 183,032 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 42.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 38.3% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 42.3% | 28.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $510,297 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 75.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 66.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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