City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

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

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

22.9%

Living in Fayetteville costs 22.9% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $97,222 in Nampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Fayetteville
104
Nampa
Groceries
94
Fayetteville
105
Nampa
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
83
Nampa
Transportation
77
Fayetteville
113
Nampa
Healthcare
106
Fayetteville
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $97,222 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $57,857 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $371,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $499/month in Nampa. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $332 in Nampa. 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 102 in Nampa. 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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 22.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,222 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 52 with median homes at $213,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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