Fayetteville NC vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 185,097 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 3.8% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 42.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $51,090 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 18.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Mobile
14.9%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 17.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 67.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 65.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA