Cost of Living: Fayetteville, NC vs Cary, NC (2026)

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

Fayetteville is 46% cheaper than Cary.

$1,179/mo ↓ 27%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 37%
$56,395/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 129%
$171,900 ↓ 67%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 206%
$1,156/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 51%
209,692
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $442/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $5,304/year.

Median household income is $73,004/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Cary — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Cary?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $442/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Cary?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $73,004/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and North Carolina?
Both cities are in North Carolina and share the same state tax rates: 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Cary details →

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