Fayetteville NC vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 38.3% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 42.3% | 9.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, 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%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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