Fayetteville AR vs Lakeland 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 82,506 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 48.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 75.6% | 74.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $36,322 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 26.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 72.6°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 54.8 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 25.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland 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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