Fayetteville AR vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Tempe
29.9
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 29.9 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 75.6% | 60.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 49.5% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $468,328 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 41.6% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 71.3°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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