Fayetteville NC vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 38.3% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 23.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $264,957 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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