Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Arlington is 30% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,389/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 15%
$73,519/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 23%
$276,400 ↑ 61%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 38%
$1,420/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 19%
394,769
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $210/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $2,520/year.

Median household income is $17,124/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Arlington or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $210/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $17,124/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Fayetteville details →

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