Fayetteville NC vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 154,751 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 38.3% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.3% | 20.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $51,339 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $27,054 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 25.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $298,985 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 21.1% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 22.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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