Fayetteville AR vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 75.6% | 40.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $1,369,171 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 33.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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