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

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Fayetteville is 43% cheaper than Richardson.

$1,179/mo ↓ 35%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↑ 55%
$56,395/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 71%
$171,900 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$405,600 ↑ 136%
$1,156/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↑ 55%
209,692
Population
118,269

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
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $646/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $7,752/year.

Median household income is $39,862/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Richardson — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Richardson?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $646/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Richardson?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $39,862/year higher in Richardson.
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 Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fayetteville and Richardson

Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater