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

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Fayetteville is 20% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,179/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 20%
$56,395/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↑ 16%
$171,900 ↑ 11%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 10%
$1,156/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 16%
209,692
Population
113,714

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
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $234/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $2,808/year.

Median household income is $9,142/year higher in Springfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Springfield — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Springfield?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $234/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Springfield?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $9,142/year higher in Springfield.
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 Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

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