Fayetteville NC vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 44,998 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 57.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 38.3% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 42.3% | 5.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $503,393 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 63.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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