City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Lubbock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Lubbock

Texas
83
Very Affordable
$175,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$49,834
Median Income

The Verdict

2.4%

Living in Fayetteville costs 2.4% less than Lubbock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $76,852 in Lubbock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
59
Lubbock
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
93
Lubbock
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
96
Lubbock
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
97
Lubbock
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
90
Lubbock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $76,852 in Lubbock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lubbock equals $73,193 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Lubbock

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Lubbock's 59, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $175,000. The $38,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $950/mo in Lubbock, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 93 in Lubbock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $442/month in Lubbock. 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 96 in Lubbock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $384 in Lubbock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 90 in Lubbock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $49,834 in Lubbock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $60,041 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,163/month in Lubbock. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Lubbock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,852 in Lubbock, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Lubbock's is 59 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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