Fayetteville NC vs Kansas City MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 38.3% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 42.3% | 25.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $253,319 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Kansas City
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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