Fayetteville AR vs Garden Grove CA — 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 75.6% | 28.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Garden Grove
12.2%
Garden Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $32,387 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 12.2% | Garden Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 24.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Garden Grove
53.6%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $1,012,728 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.6% | Garden Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Garden Grove
503
Garden Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Garden Grove
2388
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Garden Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Garden Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Garden Grove
16.7%
Garden Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Garden Grove
11.4%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.7% | Garden Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Garden Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Garden Grove +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Garden Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 31.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Garden Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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