Fayetteville NC vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 115,263 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 38.3% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 42.3% | 32.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
High Point
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $251,699 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
High Point
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
High Point
1999
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.1 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA