Fayetteville AR vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 75.6% | 53.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 32.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $411,323 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 17.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 72.1°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PAFayetteville, AR vs San Antonio, TX