Fayetteville AR vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
97,227
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 33.0 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 75.6% | 70.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 2.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $58,568 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $31,987 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 25.0% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 63.4°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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