Fayetteville vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Meridian
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.5%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $111,111 in Meridian.
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 $111,111 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $50,625 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $509,000. The $296,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $494/month in Meridian. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $344 in Meridian. 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 Meridian. 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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 102 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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