Fayetteville AR vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 92,577 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 40.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 75.6% | 65.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $662,209 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | 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
Fayetteville +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 29.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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