Fayetteville AR vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 75.6% | 31.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $55,339 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 22.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 41.9% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
New Orleans
643
New Orleans +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | New Orleans + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 66.6 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 24.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, New Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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