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

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Fayetteville and Abilene have a similar cost of living.

$1,179/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↓ 6%
$56,395/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 11%
$171,900 ↓ 4%
Home Value
$178,900 ↑ 4%
$1,156/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↓ 4%
209,692
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $73/month cheaper in Abilene, saving renters about $876/year.

Median household income is $6,325/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Abilene — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Abilene?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $73/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Abilene?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $6,325/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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