Fayetteville AR vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 75.6% | 50.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $36,138 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 29.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $484,226 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 30.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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