Fayetteville NC vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 143,611 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 38.3% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 21.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $45,611 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $30,282 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 28.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $299,633 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 68.9°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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