Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 97,227 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 25.6% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,714 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $380,101 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 41.9% | Birmingham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 660 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2507 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.8% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.6% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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