Fayetteville NC vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 57,088 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 38.3% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 42.3% | 6.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $1,274,801 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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