Fayetteville NC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Roanoke
3.1%
Tie
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 98,677 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 42.3% | 29.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $52,671 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $279,668 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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