Fayetteville AR vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 75.6% | 29.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $1,452,609 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
San Jose
503
San Jose +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | San Jose + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 61.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 30.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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