Fayetteville AR vs Stockton 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 75.6% | 26.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,279 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $431,297 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 62.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 33.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Stockton 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 Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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