Fayetteville AR vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 75.6% | 16.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $48,416 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $25,509 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 10.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 24.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 17.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $482,675 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 24.1% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 23.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 35.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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