Fayetteville NC vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 71,455 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 4.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 42.3% | 6.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 5.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $55,429 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 21.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $294,254 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Johnson City
11.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | 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
Fayetteville +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, 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 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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