City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

10.0%

Living in Fayetteville costs 10.0% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $83,333 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
94
Irving
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
99
Irving
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
111
Irving
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
97
Irving
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Fayetteville vs Irving

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is equal to Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $318,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $470/month in Irving. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $444 in Irving. 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 78 in Fayetteville and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,713/month in Irving. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 10.0% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,333 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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