Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Boston
47.8%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 97,227 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 5.7% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 21.5% | 5.2% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 7.7% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Fayetteville
49.8%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $59,074 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $37,885 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $53,714 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 21.4% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 49.8% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 660 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2507 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 33.5% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 20.8% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.0% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 58.2°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 45.5 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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