City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Fort Worth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

North Carolina
81
Very Affordable
$213,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,800
Median Income

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

The Verdict

14.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.7%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $87,963 in Fort Worth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
87
Fort Worth
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
96
Fort Worth
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
99
Fort Worth
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
106
Fort Worth
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
100
Fort Worth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $87,963 in Fort Worth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Worth equals $63,947 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Fort Worth

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Fort Worth's 87, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $270,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,400/mo in Fort Worth, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 96 in Fort Worth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $456/month in Fort Worth. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 99 in Fort Worth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $396 in Fort Worth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 100 in Fort Worth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $62,187 in Fort Worth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $65,460 respectively. Fort Worth residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,451/month in Fort Worth. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 14.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,963 in Fort Worth, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Fort Worth's is 87 with median homes at $270,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases