Cost of Living: Jacksonville, FL vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Jacksonville is 26% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,375/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 14%
$66,981/yr ↑ 19%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 16%
$266,100 ↑ 55%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 35%
$1,324/mo ↑ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 13%
961,739
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $196/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $2,352/year.

Median household income is $10,586/year higher in Jacksonville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Jacksonville or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $196/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $10,586/year higher in Jacksonville.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Jacksonville or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/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 Jacksonville details → View Fayetteville details →

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