Fayetteville AR vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 149,827 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 1.5% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 14.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 0.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $43,238 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $26,868 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $46,995 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 26.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 46.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 18.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 64.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 54.1 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Jackson
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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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