Fayetteville AR vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 75.6% | 41.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $46,628 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $30,451 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 26.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 29.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 37.2% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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