Arlington TX vs Fayetteville AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 97,227 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 22.4% | 5.2% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 7.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$59,074
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $59,074 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,714 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 21.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $380,101 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 41.9% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 660 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2507 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.8% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Fayetteville
45.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 45.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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