Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 97,227 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.7% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 5.2% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
49.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $59,074 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $37,885 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,714 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 21.4% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 49.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 41.9% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 660 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2507 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 33.5% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 17.6% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.0% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Atlanta 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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