Albany GA vs Fayetteville AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Albany
18.9%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 97,227 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 18.9% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 76.3% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $380,101 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Albany +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 20.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 17.6% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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