63
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
71
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Fayetteville wins 3–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
Fayetteville wins 1–3 overall (71/100)
💰 Fayetteville is more affordable
💼 Fayetteville has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters
📋 Chicago vs Fayetteville — The Verdict
Fayetteville scores 71.2/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Fayetteville has a clear edge with home prices 48% lower. Fayetteville may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.
💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Fayetteville are 48% lower — a difference of $146,000 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Fayetteville saves you $197/month — that's $2,364 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $18,249 more per year (34% higher median income).
📊
Fayetteville has a 0.7 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Chicago has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
Median Home Value
$304,500
$158,500
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,117
Median Income
$71,673
$53,424
The affordability gap is significant — Fayetteville offers home prices 48% lower than Chicago, translating to $146,000 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
3.9%
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Fayetteville having a slight edge at 3.9% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
Air Quality (AQI)
60
53 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
Disasters (20 years)
10
14
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.
❓ Moving from Chicago to Fayetteville: Common Questions
Is Chicago or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Fayetteville is more affordable overall. Home prices are $146,000 lower in Fayetteville. Monthly rent is $1,117 in Fayetteville vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Fayetteville have better weather?
Chicago scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Chicago or Fayetteville better for finding a job?
Fayetteville currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 3.9% in Fayetteville. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $53,424 in Fayetteville.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Fayetteville?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Fayetteville. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Fayetteville.
Should I move from Chicago to Fayetteville?
Based on our data, Fayetteville scores 71.2/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Fayetteville is more affordable, while Chicago has a better climate.
Planning to move from Chicago to Fayetteville?
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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals,
EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data.
Last updated: April 5, 2026.