The Fayetteville metro is home to 389,851 people (up 1.2% over five years), with a median household income of $58,909. Typical rent of $1,454/month works out to 29.6% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Fayetteville's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 25.9% |
| Retail trade | 12.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.3% |
| Professional & management | 10.1% |
| Manufacturing | 9.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.6% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Fayetteville market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,454/month suggests a household income around $58,000/year. The metro's median household income is $58,909.
By workforce share: Education & health care (25.9%), Retail trade (12.9%), Arts, food & hospitality (10.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).