Fayetteville AR vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 75.6% | 46.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Little Rock
$53,714
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,714 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 44.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Little Rock
660
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Little Rock
2507
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 660 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2507 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 62.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 50.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Little Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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