Cost of Living: Fayetteville, NC vs Columbus, GA (2026)

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

Fayetteville is 6% more expensive than Columbus.

$1,179/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 9%
$56,395/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$56,622/yr ≈ Same
$171,900 ↓ 6%
Home Value
$182,300 ↑ 6%
$1,156/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 8%
209,692
Population
204,383

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
5.49%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $107/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $1,284/year.

Median household income is $227/year higher in Columbus. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Columbus — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Columbus?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $107/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Columbus?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $227/year higher in Columbus.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Georgia?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fayetteville and Columbus

Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester Columbus vs. Worcester Columbus vs. Salt Lake City Columbus vs. Cape Coral Columbus vs. Little Rock Columbus vs. Yonkers Columbus vs. McKinney