Fayetteville NC vs Little Rock AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 202,739 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.4 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 38.3% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 42.3% | 39.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 3.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 10.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,714 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 62.7°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 50.0 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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