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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Austin is 84% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,655/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 29%
$91,461/yr ↑ 62%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 38%
$512,700 ↑ 198%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 66%
$1,747/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 34%
967,862
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $476/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $5,712/year.

Median household income is $35,066/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Austin or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $476/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $35,066/year higher in Austin.
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 Austin or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/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 Austin details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Austin and Fayetteville

Austin vs. San Jose Austin vs. Jacksonville Austin vs. Dallas Austin vs. Fort Worth Austin vs. San Diego Austin vs. Columbus Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester