Cost of Living Comparison for Fayetteville, NC
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Fayetteville's cost of living index is 84 — 16% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Fayetteville Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Fayetteville stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $195,000 | $420,800 | -53.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $859 | $1,713 | -49.9% |
| Median Household Income | $49,800 | $74,580 | -33.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.79% | 1.10% | -28.2% |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 100 | -16.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Fayetteville Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 520,000
- Unemployment
- 4.6%
- Avg Commute
- 24 min
- Median Age
- 30.2
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 18.9x
- Annual Property Tax
- $1,541
Cost of Living Comparison in Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Fayetteville
What is the median home price in Fayetteville, NC?
The median home price in Fayetteville is $195,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Fayetteville?
Median monthly rent in Fayetteville is $859. That works out to $10,308/year, or 21% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Fayetteville affordable?
Fayetteville's cost of living index is 84 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $49,800/year and a median home price of $195,000, the price-to-income ratio is 3.9x. Fayetteville remains relatively affordable compared to many US metros.
What is the property tax rate in Fayetteville?
The effective property tax rate in Fayetteville is 0.79% of assessed value. On the median home of $195,000, that's roughly $1,541/year ($128/month).