Fayetteville NC vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 114,080 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 31.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 38.3% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 42.3% | 6.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $253,423 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 25.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 65.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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