Fayetteville AR vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 75.6% | 39.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $580,173 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 41.1% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 24.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 32.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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