Fayetteville NC vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 124,865 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 4.8% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $534,732 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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