Cost of Living: Fayetteville, NC vs Joliet, IL (2026)

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Fayetteville is 17% cheaper than Joliet.

$1,179/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↑ 5%
$56,395/yr ↓ 36%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 56%
$171,900 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$248,600 ↑ 45%
$1,156/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↑ 27%
209,692
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $58/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $696/year.

Median household income is $31,631/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Joliet — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Joliet?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $58/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Joliet?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $31,631/year higher in Joliet.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Illinois?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Joliet has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,237/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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