Fayetteville NC vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 138,723 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $671,948 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 65.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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