Fayetteville AR vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 4.8% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 44.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $534,732 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Meridian
17.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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