City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

3.6%

Living in Fayetteville costs 3.6% less than Killeen. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $77,778 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
56
Killeen
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
96
Killeen
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
108
Killeen
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
95
Killeen
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in Killeen.

Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $72,321 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $235,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $432 in Killeen. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 96 in Killeen. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,800 in Fayetteville and $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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