Fayetteville NC vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 102,866 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 38.3% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 42.3% | 24.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $52,512 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $29,511 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,697 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 22.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 21.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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