Fayetteville NC vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 86,973 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 38.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $509,396 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA