Skyline of Fayetteville
Cost of Living: 90.5 208,501

Fayetteville, NC, US

Military town with Fort Bragg, affordable housing, and Southern hospitality.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 90.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 78.5

Affordable

Median Income $46,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Fayetteville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Fayetteville: 90.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Fayetteville: 78.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Fayetteville: 4.75%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.8%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $46,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 208,501

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 218/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 32°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $185,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1000/mo

Cost of Living

Fayetteville's cost of living index is 90.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryFayettevilleNational AverageDifference
Overall90.5100-9.5%
Housing78.5100-21.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$185,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$123

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Fayetteville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$62Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$10Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$307Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Fayetteville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
90.5
Rent
$1000
Sunny Days
218
Tax
4.75%
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
90°F / 32°F
Safety
12.4 homicides/100k
Population
208,501
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Fayetteville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January52°F32°F2.5"
April75°F47°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F50°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Fayetteville faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Cape Fear River flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Hurricane High Risk

Inland effects from hurricanes.

Landslide High Risk

Appalachian region with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.75%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~0.91% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Fayetteville per 100,000 residents:

660.2
Violent Crime
3,094.6
Property Crime
12.4
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

29/100
School Quality Score
Better than 8% of US cities
?
68
Total Schools
14.3:1
Student:Teacher
98.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#572
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Arkansas - Fayetteville

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, NC, US?

The cost of living index in Fayetteville is 90.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Fayetteville?

The median home price in Fayetteville is $185,000. The housing index is 78.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Fayetteville is approximately $1000/mo.

Does Fayetteville, NC have income tax?

Fayetteville is in NC, which has an income tax rate of 4.75%.

What is the climate like in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville enjoys approximately 218 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 32°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.