Fayetteville AR vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 75.6% | 53.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 39.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $802,780 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 37.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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