Fayetteville NC vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 38.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $527,542 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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