Fayetteville AR vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
30.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 30.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 75.6% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $568,389 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 20.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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