Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 97,227 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 12.1% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
49.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $59,074 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,714 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 21.4% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 49.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $380,101 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 660 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2507 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.5% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 58.2°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Fayetteville
19.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 19.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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