City Comparison
Fayetteville vs Jacksonville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fayetteville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fayetteville
Jacksonville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fayetteville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fayetteville's average rent is
12% higher than Jacksonville's.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Jacksonville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,402 | $1,250 | +12% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $40 | $120 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,172 | $2,250 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 80 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fayetteville offers 126% higher 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 $42,000 in Jacksonville.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,000 | $30,946 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,923 idx | 38,683 idx |
| Household Income | $66,237 | $49,666 |
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 | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Fayetteville 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 | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fayetteville is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Fayetteville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,623 | 29,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | % |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 32.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.40% |
| 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.
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
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
Jacksonville
#93Arkansas, USA
56.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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