Fayetteville AR vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 75.6% | 53.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 43.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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