City Comparison

Fayetteville vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

18.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.2%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $91,667 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
144
St George
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
100
St George
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
87
St George
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
104
St George
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $91,667 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $61,364 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs St George

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $550,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $475/month in St George. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $348 in St George. 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 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $65,818 respectively. St George 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 $1,689/month in St George. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 18.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,667 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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