Fayetteville NC vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 118,578 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 42.3% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 8.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $265,013 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Winston-Salem
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Winston-Salem
1999
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, 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%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 42.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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