Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Tacoma is 73% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,597/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 26%
$83,857/yr ↑ 49%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 33%
$454,600 ↑ 164%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 62%
$1,747/mo ↑ 51%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 34%
220,482
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.92%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $418/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $5,016/year.

Median household income is $27,462/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Tacoma or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $418/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $27,462/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and North Carolina?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/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 Tacoma details → View Fayetteville details →

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