Fayetteville NC vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 49.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 38.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 42.3% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 9.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $858,307 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 72.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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