Fayetteville NC vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 197,768 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 32.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 38.3% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 42.3% | 17.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 18.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $309,801 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.9% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, 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 +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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