Fayetteville AR vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 75.6% | 43.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 44.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Richmond
43.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 43.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 58.9°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond 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 Richmond 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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