Fayetteville NC vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 121,944 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 42.3% | 10.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 20.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.9% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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