Fayetteville NC vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 32.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 38.3% | 36.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 38.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $51,888 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $29,679 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 23.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 26.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 41.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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