Fayetteville AR vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 44,998 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 57.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 75.6% | 69.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
45.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 45.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $503,393 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 63.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palmdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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