Fayetteville NC vs Lee's Summit 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 102,583 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 4.2% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 42.3% | 10.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $313,200 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, 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%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | 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
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, 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 +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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