Fayetteville AR vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 75.6% | 58.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,109 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 34.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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