Fayetteville NC vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 72,528 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 41.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 38.3% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $579,771 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 42.1% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 38.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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