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

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Tampa is 55% more expensive than Fayetteville.

$1,567/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↓ 25%
$71,302/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 21%
$375,300 ↑ 118%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 54%
$1,553/mo ↑ 34%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↓ 26%
393,389
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $388/month cheaper in Fayetteville, saving renters about $4,656/year.

Median household income is $14,907/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Tampa or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fayetteville is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $388/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $14,907/year higher in Tampa.
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 Tampa or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Fayetteville details →

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