Dayton vs Fayetteville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Fayetteville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.1%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $84,375 in Fayetteville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $84,375 in Fayetteville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fayetteville equals $66,667 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Fayetteville
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Fayetteville's 94, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $332,000. The $197,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,804 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,025/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 92 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $392 in Fayetteville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 78 in Fayetteville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $59,100 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,379/month in Fayetteville. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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