Fayetteville AR vs Kennewick WA — 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%

Kennewick, WA

Washington · Population: 23,594

  • Median HH Income$137,926
  • Median Home Price$433,399
  • Unemployment3.0%
  • Bachelor's+57.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Kennewick
10.7%
Kennewick +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Kennewick
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Kennewick
32.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Fayetteville & Kennewick