Fayetteville NC vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 146,211 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 31.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 38.3% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 42.3% | 27.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $45,845 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $27,570 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 29.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 41.3% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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