Fayetteville vs Memphis

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 $77,778 in Memphis.

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

Living in Fayetteville vs Memphis

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $155,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $442/month in Memphis. 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 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 92 in Memphis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $49,081 respectively. Fayetteville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,162/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $962/month in Memphis. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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