Fayetteville AR vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 75.6% | 69.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $36,477 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 31.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $438,754 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3001 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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