City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Fort Worth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

The Verdict

5.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.3%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $79,167 in Fort Worth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
87
Fort Worth
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
96
Fort Worth
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
99
Fort Worth
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
106
Fort Worth
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
100
Fort Worth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $79,167 in Fort Worth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $71,053 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Fort Worth

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $270,000. The $62,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,032 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $456/month in Fort Worth. 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 98 in Fayetteville and 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 100 in Fort Worth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $65,460 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 5.3% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,167 in Fort Worth, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while Fort Worth's is 87 with median homes at $270,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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