Fayetteville NC vs Gresham OR — 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 112,818 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 38.3% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 42.3% | 4.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 23.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $472,119 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
15.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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