Fayetteville NC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 42.3% | 27.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $435,807 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 46.2 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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