Fayetteville NC vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 42.3% | 28.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $232,133 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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