Fayetteville vs Modesto
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Modesto
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.7%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $103,704 in Modesto.
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 $103,704 in Modesto.
Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $54,241 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Modesto
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $380,000. The $167,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $475/month in Modesto. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 100 in Modesto. 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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $49,230 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 $1,287/month in Modesto. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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