Fayetteville AR vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 17.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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