Fayetteville NC vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 170,013 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 38.3% | 35.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $29,766 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 20.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $466,147 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lancaster
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 62.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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