Fayetteville AR vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 75.6% | 51.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,269 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 31.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 70.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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