Cost of Living: Wichita, KS vs Fayetteville, NC (2026)

Wichita

Kansas
65
VS

Fayetteville

North Carolina
73

Wichita is 11% cheaper than Fayetteville.

$960/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,179/mo ↑ 23%
$63,072/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$56,395/yr ↓ 11%
$179,500 ↑ 4%
Home Value
$171,900 ↓ 4%
$994/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,156/mo ↑ 16%
396,488
Population
209,692

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.41%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

18.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wichita, KS and Fayetteville, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $219/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $2,628/year.

Median household income is $6,677/year higher in Wichita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wichita is $179,500 compared to $171,900 in Fayetteville.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita vs Fayetteville — common questions

Is Wichita or Fayetteville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wichita and Fayetteville?
Median rent in Wichita is $960/month and in Fayetteville it's $1,179/month — a difference of $219/month.
Which city has higher income, Wichita or Fayetteville?
Median household income is $63,072 in Wichita and $56,395 in Fayetteville. Median household income is $6,677/year higher in Wichita.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and North Carolina?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Wichita or Fayetteville?
It depends on your priorities. Wichita has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $960/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 Wichita details → View Fayetteville details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Wichita and Fayetteville

Wichita vs. Bakersfield Wichita vs. Arlington Wichita vs. Tulsa Wichita vs. Tampa Wichita vs. Minneapolis Wichita vs. Aurora Fayetteville vs. Rochester Fayetteville vs. Yonkers Fayetteville vs. Frisco Fayetteville vs. Cape Coral Fayetteville vs. Moreno Valley Fayetteville vs. Worcester