Fayetteville AR vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 41.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 75.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 5.2% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 2.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,315 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 31.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 27.5 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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