Fayetteville NC vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 38.3% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 42.3% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $334,719 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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