City Comparison
Fayetteville vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fayetteville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fayetteville
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fayetteville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% lower compared to Cincinnati.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,402 | $1,410 | -1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $493 | -19% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $40 | $120 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,172 | $2,451 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fayetteville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fayetteville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,923 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $66,237 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fayetteville runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fayetteville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fayetteville sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fayetteville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fayetteville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 49.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Fayetteville.
From a growth perspective, Fayetteville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,623 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fayetteville
Advantages
Fayetteville consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S..
The cost of living in Fayetteville is 8.6% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a high livability score of 81/100, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally.
Fayetteville has a strong job market, with job growth outpacing the national rate since 2011.
The city is very walkable, with a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, and extensive trail systems.
Drawbacks
Fayetteville's total crime rate is 32% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Fayetteville is 18% higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership almost a necessity.
The homeownership rate in Fayetteville (41.8% in 2024) is lower than the national average.
Traffic congestion can be an issue, particularly during major university events.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fayetteville
#81Arkansas, USA
58.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,402
Avg Salary
$70,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
81
Business
75
Cincinnati
#82Ohio, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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