Fayetteville AR vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 75.6% | 21.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $28,813 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $751,711 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 22.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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