Fayetteville NC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 38.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 42.3% | 18.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $427,121 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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