Fayetteville AR vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 3.8% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 39.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $51,090 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $32,893 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 31.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 17.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 67.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 65.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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