Fayetteville AR vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 75.6% | 63.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $52,606 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 33.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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 Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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