Fayetteville vs Provo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Provo
The Verdict
Living in Fayetteville costs 22.1% less than Provo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $96,296 in Provo.
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 $96,296 in Provo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $58,413 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Provo
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Provo's 112, 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 $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $466/month in Provo. 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 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $348 in Provo. 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 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $49,085 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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