Fayetteville AR vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
31.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 31.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 75.6% | 51.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $45,845 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $27,570 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 29.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 30.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 41.3% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Syracuse
20.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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