Fayetteville NC vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 154,776 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 38.3% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 42.3% | 20.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $28,059 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 20.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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