Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Albany +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Albany
53.0%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 97,227 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.7% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 26.6% | 5.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 3.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $59,074 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,714 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $380,101 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 660 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2507 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.8% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.5% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 58.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 45.5 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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