Fayetteville NC vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 34.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 38.3% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $251,035 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 24.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 68.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 26.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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