Fayetteville AR vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Sparks
N/A
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $530,668 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 9.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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