Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 97,227 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 5.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 5.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $380,101 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
7.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens 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).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA