Fayetteville, ARBest Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024

Fayetteville has four distinct, yet mostly temperate, seasons. Winter days can sometimes dip down to the teens, while summer days are hot and humid. The average highs and lows are 87°F and 67°F (summer) and 48°F and 28°F (winter).

The average annual snowfall in Fayetteville is very low, at just 5 inches. Therefore, snowfall is relatively uncommon in Fayetteville, and there is no snow in some years. 

The average annual rainfall in Fayetteville is 46 inches, and May is typically the wettest month. 

Fayetteville averages 214 sunny days a year.

Shaded by mature trees, Gregory Park has a mountain biking skills course and two downhill trails. You might share the trails with student-athletes on mountain biking teams who come here to practice. You can also hike in the beautiful Kessler Mountain Regional Park, which has 620 acres on and around historic Kessler Mountain, which reaches 1,856 feet above sea level. 

Dickson Street, in the entertainment district of Fayetteville, is a fun way to spend an afternoon without spending a dime. It has a lively atmosphere, several little shops, street art and perhaps even a free outdoor festival or concert.

Become a regular at the Fayetteville Public Library, which has a permanent art exhibit and rotating collections. The library has a calendar of events, from storytimes for kids to guided meditations and classes on of-the-moment topics like artificial intelligence for writers.

Fayetteville is anchored by the University of Arkansas, and Razorback fans mean business. Saturdays in the fall are for football, and basketball teams reign supreme in the spring. The campus is a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon and has more than 4 miles of sidewalks imprinted with the graduates’ names. And the university’s impact extends beyond Fayetteville. Arkansas graduate and former university president J. William Fulbright created the Fulbright Scholarship Program, the largest international exchange of scholars globally. 

Fayetteville is full of local and national retailers. The Flying Possum has been a mainstay since 1976 and is the city’s original Birkenstock source. For bookworms, the  Dickson St. Bookshop is universally loved by Fayetteville and book lovers beyond city limits. It was even named one of Buzzfeed’s “Bookstores That Will Literally Change Your Life.” Dickson Street, in particular, is the city’s shopping hub, and the sidewalks are dotted with boutiques, galleries, and bars and restaurants. The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market in the historic downtown square can’t be missed during the warmer months. 

Theo’s on Campbell Avenue is an upscale New American restaurant with a great cocktail bar and vibrant outdoor patio. Be sure to save room for dessert. 

The Walton Arts Center is a much-loved performing arts center in Fayetteville. It has a reputation for hosting some of the region’s best concerts and theatrical performances and is the state’s largest and busiest performing arts venue.

Play pinball and enjoy playful cocktails like rum-spiked Dole Whip at Pinpoint.

Educational services, retail trade and manufacturing are among the top industries in Fayetteville. Some of the largest employers are the University of Arkansas and Tyson Foods. Walmart is also a significant employer in the city because its headquarters are in nearby Bentonville, AR. 

In 2024, the sales tax rate in Fayetteville is 9.75%. 

Yes, Arkansas has a state income tax. 

Washington Regional Medical Center and Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas are two of Fayetteville’s most significant health care providers. Washington Regional Medical Center performs highly in nearly a dozen procedures and conditions. 

Several colleges and universities are located in Fayetteville, including the University of Arkansas’s flagship campus.