Fayetteville AR vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 4.7% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 75.6% | 49.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 5.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $48,536 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,324 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $51,690 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 23.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 38.1% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 42.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 21.3% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.7% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 65.0°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 55.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.0 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tuscaloosa 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%.
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