Fayetteville AR vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.6 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 75.6% | 58.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $54,546 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,152 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 30.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 33.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 69.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 23.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fayetteville, AR vs New York, NYFayetteville, AR vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fayetteville, ARFayetteville, AR vs Houston, TXFayetteville, AR vs Phoenix, AZFayetteville, AR vs Philadelphia, PA