Fayetteville NC vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 137,334 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 37.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 6.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 27.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $278,048 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Hampton
40.1%
Hampton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.1% | Hampton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 61.9°F | Fayetteville + |
| 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
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hampton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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