Fayetteville NC vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
New York
35.9%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 38.3% | 35.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 22.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $816,078 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 32.8% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.6 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 44.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PAFayetteville, NC vs San Antonio, TX