Fayetteville NC vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 94,723 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 38.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 42.3% | 0.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 11.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $672,082 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, NC vs New York, NYFayetteville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, NCFayetteville, NC vs Houston, TXFayetteville, NC vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA