Fayetteville AR vs Huntington Beach CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 196,010 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 43.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 75.6% | 64.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
47.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 47.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $1,364,265 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Huntington Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 31.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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