Fayetteville NC vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 119,508 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 40.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 38.3% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 42.3% | 31.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $399,650 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 75.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 62.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 25.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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