Fayetteville vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 39.1%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $123,148 in Lakewood.
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 $123,148 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $45,677 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $574,000. The $361,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,460 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $480/month in Lakewood. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 136 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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