Fayetteville NC vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 38.3% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 42.3% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $862,599 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 40.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, 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%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Long Beach
11.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 64.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 32.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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