Fayetteville AR vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 75.6% | 66.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,835 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 24.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 33.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 22.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 68.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos 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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