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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Houston is 21% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,313/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 10%
$62,894/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 10%
$253,400 ↑ 47%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 32%
$1,316/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 12%
2,300,419
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $134/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $1,608/year.

Median household income is $6,499/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Houston or Fayetteville 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 Houston and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $134/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $6,499/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Fayetteville has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,179/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Fayetteville details →

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