Fayetteville 81 Exceptional
Fayetteville Livability #3 ranked city in Arkansas#1,151 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas

Fayetteville, AR - The Heart of the Ozarks

Living in Fayetteville, AR offers a vibrant mix of natural beauty, academic energy, and Southern charm. Known as the 'Heart of the Ozarks,' Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas, which brings a youthful energy and a diverse cultural scene to the city. The Walton Arts Center and the TheatreSquared offer world-class performances, from Broadway shows to independent plays, making Fayetteville a cultural hub in Northwest Arkansas.

Fayetteville’s downtown area, particularly the historic Dickson Street, is a lively place with a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The city’s Farmers Market, held on the downtown square, is a popular spot for fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live music. The annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ festival draws thousands of visitors for a weekend of motorcycle rallies, live music, and delicious food.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Fayetteville is a paradise. The city is surrounded by the scenic Ozark Mountains, offering numerous opportunities for hiking, biking, and exploring the great outdoors. The nearby Kessler Mountain Regional Park and the extensive Fayetteville trail system provide ample space for recreation and relaxation. Lake Fayetteville is a local favorite for fishing, boating, and picnicking.

Fayetteville is also known for its strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Lights of the Ozarks, a spectacular holiday light display that transforms the downtown square into a winter wonderland. The local schools are highly regarded, making Fayetteville an attractive place for families.

For those considering a move to Arkansas, Fayetteville offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or welcoming atmosphere, living in Fayetteville, AR provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Fayetteville

PROS
  • Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

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What's it like Living in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville is a mid-sized city located in the state of Arkansas. The city has a population of 86,622 residents. The majority of Fayetteville residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. The median age of all Fayetteville residents is 28, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Fayetteville, only 39% of the population is married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Fayetteville. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Fayetteville could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Arkansas if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like amenities, crime, commute, education, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fayetteville and in the areas around Fayetteville is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 79 out of 100, Fayetteville is ranked #1,620 in the United States and #3 in Arkansas. Clearly, Fayetteville is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Fayetteville has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Fayetteville ranks very well for cost of living (A) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Fayetteville does not have favorable grades for the following: crime (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

If you're living in Fayetteville, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Fayetteville an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Clinton House Museum, TheatreSquared, and Arkansas Air Museum.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Fayetteville excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Fayetteville real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Fayetteville. Median real estate prices in Fayetteville come in at $232,100, which is 102.4% higher than the Arkansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fayetteville, the home price to income ratio is 4.9, which is 81.5% higher than the Arkansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fayetteville

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      Fayetteville transportation information

      Statistic Fayetteville Arkansas National
      Average one way commute18min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.0%82.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.8%10.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.4%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.2%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.8%1.7%2.8%
      Working from home9.2%3.2%4.6%
      Source: The Fayetteville, AR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).