Fayetteville NC vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 192,696 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 38.3% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 42.3% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $510,577 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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