Fayetteville NC vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 38.3% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 42.3% | 4.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $293,233 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 20.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA