Fayetteville AR vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 75.6% | 45.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 47.4% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 32.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 36.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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