Fayetteville AR vs Rockford 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 75.6% | 55.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $53,328 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $30,409 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 21.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 23.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 44.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 15.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Rockford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rockford 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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