Fayetteville AR vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 75.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $441,257 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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