Fayetteville NC vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 119,970 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 38.3% | 26.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 36.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $45,300 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $27,319 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 10.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 25.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 25.8% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Hartford
40.4%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.4% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 20.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.9 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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