Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 97,227 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 5.7% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 75.6% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 3.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
49.8%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $59,074 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $37,885 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,714 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 21.4% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 49.8% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $380,101 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 41.9% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 660 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2507 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Fayetteville
12.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 33.5% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 20.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 10.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Carmel +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.2°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 45.5 in | Carmel + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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