Fayetteville AR vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 75.6% | 61.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $871,599 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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