Fayetteville AR vs Kansas City 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%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 75.6% | 57.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 37.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City 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%.
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