Arlington vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Fayetteville
The Verdict
Fayetteville is 6.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $70,313 in Fayetteville to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $70,313 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $80,000 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $332,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $437/month in Fayetteville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $65,667 respectively. Fayetteville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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