City Comparison
Fayetteville vs Sherwood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fayetteville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fayetteville
Sherwood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fayetteville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Sherwood.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Sherwood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,402 | $1,345 | +4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $213 | -15% |
| Transport | $40 | $110 | -64% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $200 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,172 | $2,248 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fayetteville offers 51% 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 $55,000 in Sherwood.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,000 | $46,462 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,923 idx | 49,959 idx |
| Household Income | $66,237 | $81,328 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Sherwood sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | 64.80°F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | 34.40°F |
| Rainfall | 41.10 in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | 9.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 258 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fayetteville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Sherwood.
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fayetteville is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Sherwood.
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,623 | 33,777 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.47% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 39.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Sherwood
Advantages
The cost of living in Sherwood is 7% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Sherwood boasts a strong job market with employment growing at a rate of 5.52% from 2023 to 2024.
The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Public schools in Sherwood are rated above average, contributing to a family-friendly environment.
The homeownership rate in Sherwood is 70.8%, higher than the national average, indicating a stable community.
Drawbacks
Sherwood's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a safety grade of D.
The city is largely car-dependent, with minimal public transportation options and low walkability scores.
Residents note a limited selection of nightlife and diverse entertainment options within Sherwood itself.
Violent crime rates in Sherwood are 77% higher than the national average.
While growing, the city's economic base is still developing, with a focus on a few key industries.
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
Sherwood
#106Arkansas, USA
54.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$46,462
Cost Index
93
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
64.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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