Fayetteville AR vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
62.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 79,255 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 4.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 62.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
38.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $30,004 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Lynchburg
19.4%
Lynchburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | Lynchburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA