Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Fayetteville, AR

    Is Fayetteville a good place to live?

    Watch Fayetteville

    Fayetteville ranks #8 of 19 Arkansas cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (60/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 2.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $322,500
    +10.7% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,003
    per month
    Household income
    $59,074
    median
    Unemployment
    4.9%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Fayetteville

    The median home value in Fayetteville is $322,500 and median rent is $1,003 a month, against a median household income of $59,074. Homes cost about 5.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Fayetteville crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Arkansas the 2025 rate was 535 violent and 1,669 property crimes per 100,000 people — #12 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Fayetteville, AR

    Fayetteville has about 97,227 residents, 4.9% unemployment and 28% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Fayetteville with

    Fayetteville vs Little RockFayetteville vs Fort SmithFayetteville vs SpringdaleFayetteville vs JonesboroFayetteville vs RogersFayetteville vs ConwayFayetteville vs North Little RockFayetteville vs Bentonville

    More: Where to move in Arkansas · Best counties in Arkansas

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report