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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

San Antonio is 12% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,258/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 6%
$62,917/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 10%
$219,700 ↑ 28%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 22%
$1,235/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 6%
1,458,954
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $79/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $948/year.

Median household income is $6,522/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is San Antonio or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Fayetteville?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $79/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $6,522/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Fayetteville details →

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