Fayetteville AR vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 75.6% | 69.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 31.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $435,670 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 71.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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