Fayetteville AR vs Grand Rapids MI — 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 75.6% | 61.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,953 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 40.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 21.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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