Columbus vs Fayetteville: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbus, GA and Fayetteville, NC, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Fayetteville, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,572 | 208,697 |
| Median household income | $54,561 | $53,424 |
| Median home value | $168,400 | $158,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,038 | $1,117 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Columbus, GA and Fayetteville, NC comes down to what you value most. Fayetteville has the lower median home value, and Columbus has the lower median rent.
Columbus has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Fayetteville?
- By median home value, Fayetteville is the cheaper of the two ($158,500 vs $168,400). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Columbus or Fayetteville?
- Median household income is $54,561 in Columbus versus $53,424 in Fayetteville, per the US Census Bureau.