Fayetteville NC vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 38.3% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 42.3% | 11.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $297,017 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 20.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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