Fayetteville AR vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 5.3% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 72.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,683 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 20.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Independence
2418
Independence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.4% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 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 Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA