Fayetteville AR vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 143,611 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 75.6% | 59.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $45,611 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $30,282 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 28.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 21.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 68.9°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 47.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Gainesville
20.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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