Fayetteville NC vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
8.1%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 6.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 29.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $288,707 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
54.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 62.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 54.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Huntsville
21.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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