Fayetteville NC vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 115,415 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 38.3% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 42.3% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $441,257 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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