Fayetteville AR vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 75.6% | 36.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,669 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 22.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 34.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 34.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs San Antonio, TX