Fayetteville NC vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 31.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 38.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $429,253 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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