Fayetteville AR vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 75.6% | 58.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $35,825 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 34.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $435,532 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.1 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.3 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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