Fayetteville NC vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 32.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 38.3% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 42.3% | 39.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $310,519 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 45.7% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.8 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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