Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers and Raleigh-Cary receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | Raleigh-Cary | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,726 | 1,487,302 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $81,650 | $100,103 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $42,582 | $51,873 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 220/sq mi | 702/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $307,200 | $418,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,157 | $1,573 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.3% | 66.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 3.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 4.2% | 0.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.9% | 51.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.8% | 8.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 9,469 | 18,633 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 16.4 | 12.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 12.4% | 1.0% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 32°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.0" | 46.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 17 mi | 20 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.2 min | 28.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.7 | 37.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, cold wave.
Raleigh-Cary
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Metro Area · Raleigh-Cary, NC Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology