Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
75.6%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 97,227 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 77.1% | 75.6% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 5.2% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
21.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,714 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 21.4% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $380,101 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 41.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Fayetteville
2507
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 660 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2507 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.8% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.6% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 58.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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