Fayetteville NC vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 79,526 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 40.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 38.3% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 42.3% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 4.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $514,358 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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