Fayetteville NC vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 38.3% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 42.3% | 5.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 11.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $538,687 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 78.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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