Champaign vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Fayetteville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in 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 $75,000 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $75,000 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Fayetteville's 52, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $213,000. The $2,000 difference in home prices means roughly $132 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,075/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 94 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $447/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 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 106 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $49,800 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $61,481 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,162/month in Fayetteville. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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