Fayetteville AR vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 75.6% | 73.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $429,253 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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