Fayetteville AR vs Great Falls MT — 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%
Great Falls, MT
Montana · Population: 60,412
- Median HH Income$63,934
- Median Home Price$337,690
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+28.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
60,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
39.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.7%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Great Falls
84.8%
Great Falls +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
1.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Great Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 60,412 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 39.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 1.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 84.8% | Great Falls + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Great Falls
$63,934
Great Falls +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
$35,968
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Great Falls
$62,117
Great Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Great Falls
3.2%
Great Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Great Falls
14.0%
Great Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
28.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $63,934 | Great Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $35,968 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,117 | Great Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.2% | Great Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.0% | Great Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 28.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Great Falls
$337,690
Great Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Great Falls
68.4%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $337,690 | Great Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 68.4% | Great Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Great Falls
433
Great Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Great Falls
1984
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 433 | Great Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1984 | Great Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Great Falls
19.2%
Great Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Great Falls
10.0%
Great Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Great Falls
15.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.2% | Great Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.0% | Great Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Great Falls
46.9°F
Great Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Great Falls
14.0 in
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 46.9°F | Great Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 14.0 in | Great Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Great Falls
7.4 µg/m³
Great Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Great Falls
75.0%
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Great Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Great Falls + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Great Falls
16.1 min
Great Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Great Falls, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 16.1 min | Great Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Great Falls leads in median household income at $63,934, while great Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $337,690. On public safety, Great Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Great Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Great Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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