Fayetteville NC vs Port St. Lucie FL — 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%
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Port St. Lucie +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 220,453 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 43.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 19.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 38.3% | 60.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Black | 42.3% | 19.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 23.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Port St. Lucie +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $78,137 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,352 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 8.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 26.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $327,700 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 83.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Port St. Lucie +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Port St. Lucie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Port St. Lucie
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | 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
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Port St. Lucie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Port St. Lucie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 32.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Port St. Lucie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Port St. Lucie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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