Columbia SC 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Fayetteville
28.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 97,227 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 49.9% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 39.5% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$37,885
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $37,885 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,714 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $380,101 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 20.8% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Fayetteville
19.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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