Fayetteville AR vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 75.6% | 45.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $55,279 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 40.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Louis 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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