Cost of Living: Fayetteville, NC vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Fayetteville is 27% cheaper than Wilmington.

$1,179/mo ↓ 10%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↑ 11%
$56,395/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 13%
$171,900 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 104%
$1,156/mo ↓ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↑ 19%
209,692
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fayetteville, NC and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $132/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $1,584/year.

Median household income is $7,505/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fayetteville is $171,900 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in North Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Fayetteville or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fayetteville and Wilmington?
Median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $132/month.
Which city has higher income, Fayetteville or Wilmington?
Median household income is $56,395 in Fayetteville and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $7,505/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and North Carolina?
Both cities are in North Carolina and share the same state tax rates: 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Fayetteville or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,179/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fayetteville details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fayetteville and Wilmington

Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester Wilmington vs. Spring Hill Wilmington vs. Billings Wilmington vs. West Palm Beach Wilmington vs. Richardson Wilmington vs. Hartford Wilmington vs. Cambridge