Fayetteville AR vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Peoria
33.1
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 11,626 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.1 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 75.6% | 59.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,805 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 27.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 13.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 34.4 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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