Cost of Living: Oakland, CA vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Oakland

California
195
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Oakland is 167% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,917/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 38%
$97,369/yr ↑ 73%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 42%
$924,700 ↑ 438%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 81%
$2,164/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 47%
438,072
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $738/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $8,856/year.

Median household income is $40,974/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Oakland or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $738/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $40,974/year higher in Oakland.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Oakland or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

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