Fayetteville AR vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 42.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 75.6% | 51.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 39.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $510,297 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 75.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 66.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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