Fayetteville NC vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $411,323 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 72.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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