Arlington vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Fayetteville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 82.2%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $41,159 in Fayetteville.
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 $41,159 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $136,667 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $332,000. The $408,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $1,325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $65,667 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 155 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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