Fayetteville NC vs Glendale CA — 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 192,270 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 41.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 38.3% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Glendale
8.2%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.2% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $1,205,826 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 35.3% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Glendale
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 64.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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