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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Raleigh is 51% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,468/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 20%
$82,424/yr ↑ 46%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 32%
$377,800 ↑ 120%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 54%
$1,487/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 22%
470,763
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $289/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $3,468/year.

Median household income is $26,029/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Raleigh or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $289/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $26,029/year higher in Raleigh.
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 Raleigh or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Fayetteville details →

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