Fayetteville NC vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 35.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 38.3% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 42.3% | 32.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Wilmington
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $419,326 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 63.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 58.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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