Fayetteville AR vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 75.6% | 44.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,433 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 32.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 60.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.8 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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