Fayetteville NC vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 38.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 42.3% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $496,966 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 31.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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