Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 97,227 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 5.7% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.7% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $59,074 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $37,885 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $53,714 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 21.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 41.9% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Fayetteville
660
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 660 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2507 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.8% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.5% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 58.2°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 45.5 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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