Fayetteville AR vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Medford
N/A
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Medford
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Medford
$63,691
Medford +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Medford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $410,269 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Medford
19.1%
Medford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 33.0% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.1% | Medford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Medford
18.4 in
Medford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 55.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 18.4 in | Medford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Medford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Medford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Medford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Medford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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