City Comparison

Bellevue vs Fayetteville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Fayetteville

Arkansas
90
Below Average
$332,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$59,100
Median Income

The Verdict

75.6%

Living in Fayetteville costs 75.6% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $42,722 in Fayetteville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Bellevue
94
Fayetteville
Groceries
111
Bellevue
92
Fayetteville
Utilities
100
Bellevue
98
Fayetteville
Transportation
134
Bellevue
95
Fayetteville
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
78
Fayetteville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $42,722 in Fayetteville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $131,667 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Fayetteville

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $332,000. The $969,000 difference in home prices means roughly $62,988 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $1,500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1080/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 42-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $65,667 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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

Fayetteville is 75.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,722 in Fayetteville, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Fayetteville's is 94 with median homes at $332,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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