City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

19.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.0%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $92,593 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
94
Irving
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
99
Irving
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
111
Irving
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
97
Irving
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $92,593 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $60,750 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Irving

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $318,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $470/month in Irving. 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 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $444 in Irving. 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 106 in Fayetteville and 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $73,400 respectively. Irving 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 19.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,593 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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