Fayetteville AR vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 75.6% | 54.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $52,512 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $29,511 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 22.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 29.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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