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

Chesapeake

Virginia
112
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Chesapeake is 53% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,523/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 23%
$94,189/yr ↑ 67%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 40%
$359,100 ↑ 109%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 52%
$1,680/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 31%
251,153
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

19.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chesapeake, VA and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 112 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $344/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $4,128/year.

Median household income is $37,794/year higher in Chesapeake. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chesapeake is $359,100 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Chesapeake or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chesapeake and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Chesapeake is $1,523/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $344/month.
Which city has higher income, Chesapeake or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $94,189 in Chesapeake and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $37,794/year higher in Chesapeake.
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 Chesapeake or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Chesapeake has a cost index of 112 with median rent of $1,523/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 Chesapeake details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

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