Fayetteville AR vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 75.6% | 48.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $32,983 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 28.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 24.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 68.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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