Fayetteville NC vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 149,785 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 38.3% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 42.3% | 17.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $264,637 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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%.
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