Fayetteville NC vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 38.3% | 28.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $664,939 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 28.8% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 40.3 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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