Fayetteville AR vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 75.6% | 53.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 40.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $671,948 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Ontario
503
Ontario +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Ontario + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 33.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 17.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 65.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 28.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA