City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Vancouver

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Vancouver

Washington
122
Expensive
$525,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$79,300
Median Income

The Verdict

26.2%

Living in Fayetteville costs 26.2% less than Vancouver. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $101,667 in Vancouver.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
163
Vancouver
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
104
Vancouver
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
87
Vancouver
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
112
Vancouver
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
103
Vancouver

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $101,667 in Vancouver.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $55,328 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Vancouver

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $525,000. The $193,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $494/month in Vancouver. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $348 in Vancouver. 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 Vancouver. 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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $65,000 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 $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 26.2% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 122.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,667 in Vancouver, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while Vancouver's is 163 with median homes at $525,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases