Cost of Living: Fayetteville, NC vs Fairfield, CA (2026)

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Fayetteville is 56% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,179/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 86%
$56,395/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 81%
$171,900 ↓ 71%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 245%
$1,156/mo ↓ 48%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 93%
209,692
Population
119,985

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,012/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $12,144/year.

Median household income is $45,926/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Fairfield?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $1,012/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Fairfield?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $45,926/year higher in Fairfield.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and California?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fayetteville and Fairfield

Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill