Fayetteville AR vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Knoxville
7.0%
Knoxville +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
72.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 7.0% | Knoxville + |
| White | 75.6% | 72.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $50,994 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,171 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 33.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 639 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 22.0% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.8% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 51.9 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Knoxville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Knoxville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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