Fayetteville NC vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 38.3% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 42.3% | 37.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $46,628 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $30,451 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 26.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $241,627 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 37.2% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.6 min | Tie |
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, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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