Fayetteville NC vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Macon
43.7%
Macon +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 61,773 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 38.3% | 43.7% | Macon + |
| Black | 42.3% | 30.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | 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
Fayetteville +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 64.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.7 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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