Fayetteville AR vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 75.6% | 51.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 44.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 73.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 46.3 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 26.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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