Fayetteville vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 21.4%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $95,370 in Surprise.
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 $95,370 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $58,981 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 52 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $213,000 vs $419,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Fayetteville and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Fayetteville vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Fayetteville and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,481 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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