Champaign vs Fayetteville

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Fayetteville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $67,500 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Fayetteville

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $332,000. The $117,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,608 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $437/month in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $65,667 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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