Fayetteville AR vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Flint
2.9%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 80,835 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 34.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 0.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 4.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $36,194 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $20,799 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 17.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 34.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 50.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 19.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 23.5% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 25.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Flint, MI | 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 flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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