Fayetteville AR vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 36.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 3.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $48,465 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $33,788 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 23.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 27.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Shreveport
643
Shreveport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 643 | Shreveport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2824 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 43.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 17.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.1% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.1% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 52.7 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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