Fayetteville, North Carolina
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Fayetteville.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Fayetteville?
For relocators asking how much Fayetteville costs: the housing index sits at 72 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $171,900 and rents near $1,179. Local median income is about $56,395 and unemployment recently ran 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 20 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 875.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 72U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $171,900U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,179U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $56,395U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 875.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Fayetteville compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 209,496City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $56,395Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year28% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 72ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year28% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $171,900City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year43% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,179City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year13% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 2838% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 875.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)49% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3526annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)14% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 36°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 44.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals35% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Fayetteville grew 0.6% from 208,337 in 2010 to 209,496 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Fayetteville expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Fayetteville runs 28 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 72 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $171,900 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,179 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Fayetteville?
Budget first around $1,179/month rent or $171,900 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $171,900
- Median rent $1,179/month
- Median household income $56,395
What is the job market like in Fayetteville?
Labor-market context for Fayetteville: unemployment 4.7% and median income $56,395. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $56,395
How long is the typical commute in Fayetteville?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Fayetteville. Walk Score estimates around 28 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 28/100
Is Fayetteville safer than similar U.S. cities?
Fayetteville's FBI-derived violent rate (~875.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 875.4 per 100k
- Property 3526 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Fayetteville?
Fayetteville's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 36°F winter mornings, 44.6" annual rainfall, and 247 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 36°F
- 44.6 in rain · 247 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Fayetteville, North Carolina will find roughly 209,496 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $56,395; our housing-derived cost index is about 72 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $171,900 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Piedmont research corridors and coastal storm exposure both matter. Pack for 90°F summer peaks; winter mornings often settle near 36°F. Commutes average near 20 minutes one-way, with walkability near 28/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.7% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~875.4 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Fayetteville is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Fayetteville with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Fayetteville city, 1600000US3722920) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Cumberland County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093740 FAYETTEVILLE RGNL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All North Carolina cities · Full city index