Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 97,227 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 5.7% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 76.8% | 5.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 7.7% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,714 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $380,101 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.9% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 660 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2507 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 58.2°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.5 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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