Fayetteville AR vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 51,054 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 75.6% | 64.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $57,688 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $35,780 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 23.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 36.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Fayetteville +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 36.8% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 14.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 18.7% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 22.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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