Fayetteville AR vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 75.6% | 63.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 4.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 47.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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