Fayetteville NC vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 38.3% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 42.3% | 6.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 25.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $648,603 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 66.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 34.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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