Fayetteville NC vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 135,806 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 38.3% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 42.3% | 19.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $708,498 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 53.2 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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