Fayetteville NC vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 126,103 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 38.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 42.3% | 9.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $55,902 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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