Fayetteville NC vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 38.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 42.3% | 16.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $297,021 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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