Fayetteville NC vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 169,432 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 33.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 3.8% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.3% | 4.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 5.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $45,984 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $30,864 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 19.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $245,279 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 42.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 45.6 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
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, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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