Fayetteville AR vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 71,124 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 75.6% | 32.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $55,269 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 23.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 33.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Wilmington
$327,117
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $327,117 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 16.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 49.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,117. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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