Fayetteville NC vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 199,696 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 38.3% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 42.3% | 35.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $55,931 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 23.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $293,664 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 39.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 67.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 58.1 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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