Fayetteville AR vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.5 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 75.6% | 57.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $58,407 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $37,533 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 33.3% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.3% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 60.8°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.2 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville 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