Fayetteville vs St Cloud
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
St Cloud
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in St Cloud.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in St Cloud.
Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $75,000 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs St Cloud
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $250,000. The $82,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,328 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $480/month in St Cloud. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 100 in St Cloud. 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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $66,889 respectively. St Cloud 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases