Fayetteville NC vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 38.3% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 42.3% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $245,993 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Fort Wayne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 50.5°F | Fort Wayne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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