Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 97,227 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 75.6% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.1% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 7.7% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
49.8%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $59,074 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $37,885 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,714 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 49.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 41.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Boulder +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 660 | Boulder + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2507 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
7.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 33.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 7.5% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.8% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.5% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.2°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 45.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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