Fayetteville vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.6%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $85,833 in 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 $85,833 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $65,534 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $320,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $376 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/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
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