Fayetteville NC vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 114,799 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 38.3% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 42.3% | 10.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $484,226 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 44.0% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 47.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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