Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Brockton, MA
VS
Fayetteville, AR
🏆 Fayetteville leads 16 of 23 categories
Brockton
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$74,016 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
158⚠ High
Population
104,713 ✓ Larger
Fayetteville
Arkansas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$56,881
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
95,022
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Brockton, MA
Pros
Households earn $17,135 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,446/mo
Violent crime (599.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Fayetteville
Pricier housing — median home is $364,700
Fayetteville, AR
Pros
Rent averages $502/mo less ($944 vs $1,446)
29% less violent crime than Brockton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.3%)
21% cheaper overall cost of living than Brockton
Homes cost $73k less ($291,300 vs $364,700)
More college-educated — 50.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Brockton by $17,135/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Brockton
Median Income
$17,135
$74,016 vs $56,881/yr
Fayetteville
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 91.0 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Fayetteville
Violent Crime
29% lower
423.7 vs 599.2 per 100k
Fayetteville
Median Home Value
$73k less
$291,300 vs $364,700
Fayetteville
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.3% vs 8.2% unemployment
Fayetteville
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.7°F vs 84.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Fayetteville, AR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.6⚠ High | 91.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $364,700⚠ High | $291,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,446⚠ High | $944 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,016 ✓ Higher | $56,881 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.5% | 12.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 120⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 64 ✓ Safer | 113⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.7% | 50.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.8% | 95.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Brockton | FAYETTEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.7°F | 46.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.2°F | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.2" | 46.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" | 6.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 104,713 ✓ Larger | 95,022 |
| Median Age | 36.4 ✓ Older | 28.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% ✓ Higher | 40.2% |
| Under 18 | 25.0% ✓ More | 17.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 9.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Brockton's cost of living index is 111.6 vs Fayetteville's 91.0 (US average = 100).
Fayetteville is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fayetteville leads 16 of 23 categories. Brockton wins 7 and Fayetteville wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Brockton to Fayetteville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($364,700 vs $291,300 median home), income ($74,016 vs $56,881), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Brockton, MA and Fayetteville, AR are about 1,304 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.