Fayetteville AR vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 75.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 32.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $400,636 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3409 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.7% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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