Fayetteville AR vs Scottsdale 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 49.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 75.6% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $858,307 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 72.5°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA