Fayetteville AR vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 71,542 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 4.2% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $55,578 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,499 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 22.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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