Fayetteville NC vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.4% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 25.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $51,211 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 22.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 46.0% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 42.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.7% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 54.9 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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