Fayetteville NC vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 149,424 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 40.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 38.3% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 4.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 7.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $618,452 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | 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
Fayetteville +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 33.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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