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Retirement community in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Photo by Anis Rahman on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@ar_graphics_)

Fayetteville, Arkansas Retirement Guide

53

Retirement Score

Fayetteville, Arkansas at a Glance

Median Home Price
$323,500
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; military and some pension income exempt.
Avg January Low
29.6°F
Cost of Living Index
86.9 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
53 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Fayetteville, Arkansas, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
86.9 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$56,881High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Fayetteville's cost of living is 13.099999999999994% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$323,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$927High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
40.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Fayetteville using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$701

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$787

Median home price used: $323,500

Median rent reference: $927 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Fayetteville, Arkansas after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
49.5 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
49.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
38.6 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Fayetteville scores 49.5 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Fayetteville

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Fayetteville

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; military and some pension income exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Arkansas has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
92.5°FHigh confidence
Avg January Low
29.6°FHigh confidence
Annual Precipitation
44"High confidence
Sunny Days / Year
296 daysHigh confidence

With 296 sunny days a year and an average January low of 29.6°F, Fayetteville offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
62.5 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
28.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
95,022High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
28.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
9.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
5.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
50.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
78.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
5.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
7.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
2.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Fayetteville

What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, Arkansas for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 87, roughly 13% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $323,500.

Does Arkansas tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Arkansas residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; military and some pension income exempt.

What is the climate like in Fayetteville, Arkansas?

Fayetteville, Arkansas has January average low around 30°F, July average high around 93°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Fayetteville, Arkansas?

Fayetteville scores 50/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

NATURAL CAPITAL

NATURAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

Financial Advisor

GREENWOOD GEARHART, LLC

Financial Advisor

LEXINGTON RESEARCH AND CAPITAL GROUP, LLC

Financial Advisor

+56 more financial advisors available

Interested in Fayetteville? Talk to a Local Expert.

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