Fayetteville NC vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 186,419 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 38.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 42.3% | 7.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $468,328 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 41.6% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 71.3°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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