Fayetteville NC vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 38.3% | 36.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 42.3% | 39.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 22.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $233,814 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 48.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 34.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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