| Index | Fayetteville | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 118 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 94 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 92 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Fayetteville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Fayetteville cost of living index is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Fayetteville closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Fayetteville can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 11 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Fayetteville and this is how they responded. 9% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 91% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Fayetteville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Fayetteville, the median home price is 30.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 10.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Fayetteville come in at $71,150, which is 12.5% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Fayetteville, healthcare costs are 8.6% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Fayetteville comes in at 8.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Fayetteville, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.
The Fayetteville cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $144,477 | $12,040 | $3,371 | $4,335 |
| Renters | $47,697 | $3,975 | $1,113 | $1,431 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 11.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arkansas | 2% | 4.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Springtown, AR | 140 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Lincoln, AR | 2,530 | 87 | 13.4% |
| West Fork, AR | 2,687 | 89 | 10.8% |
| Elkins, AR | 3,379 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Springdale, AR | 82,462 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 89,091 | 101 | 0.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Avondale, AZ | 88,981 | 111 | 11.1% |
| St. George, UT | 88,946 | 116 | 16.1% |
| Newmarket, ON | 88,702 | n/a | |
| Peterborough, ON | 89,500 | n/a | |
| Hawthorne, CA | 88,587 | 165 | 64.8% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 89,091 | 101 | 0.8% |
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