Fayetteville AR vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 75.6% | 35.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 36.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 24.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 48.7 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 29.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PAFayetteville, AR vs San Antonio, TX