Fayetteville vs Wilmington

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 $86,667 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $64,904 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $235,000. The $97,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $489/month in Wilmington. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $424 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $44,731 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases