Fayetteville AR vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 75.6% | 69.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $52,606 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 47.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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