Fayetteville NC vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 38.3% | 35.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 22.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $265,062 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 42.0% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 24.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.7 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 29.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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