Fayetteville NC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 190,214 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 32.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 38.3% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 42.3% | 13.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 20.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $429,449 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 41.2% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 27.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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