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

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Arlington is 178% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$2,275/mo ↑ 93%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 48%
$140,160/yr ↑ 149%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 60%
$864,800 ↑ 403%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 80%
$2,414/mo ↑ 109%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 52%
235,463
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
4.5%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,096/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $13,152/year.

Median household income is $83,765/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Fayetteville slightly more tax-friendly.

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 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $1,096/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $83,765/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and North Carolina?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% 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 203 with median rent of $2,275/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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