Fayetteville NC vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 112,546 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 38.3% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 42.3% | 23.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $52,170 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $29,894 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 19.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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