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

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%

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 +

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 +

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%

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

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 +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min

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%.

Compare More Cities

About Fayetteville & Fort Lauderdale