Fayetteville AR vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 41.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 75.6% | 59.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $34,474 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 22.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 29.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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