Cost of Living in Fayetteville, AR

Population 97,227 · Arkansas · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Most of Fayetteville's cost indicators track within a reasonable band of national figures, with median household incomes near $59,074 — a more representative starting point for relocation math than the headline-expensive or headline-cheap cities on either tail. Around 21% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Fayetteville lies roughly 90 miles east of the nearest major metro, Broken Arrow. Median home values run roughly 41% higher than Broken Arrow's $229,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 106
Rent 76

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Fayetteville

The median home value in Fayetteville is $322,500 — 6% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,003/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,074/year is 21% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Arkansas's top state income tax rate is 4.4% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. The climate averages highs of 69.3°F and lows of 45.6°F, with about 6.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fayetteville has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$322,500
6% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$370,517
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,003/mo
24% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,708/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$638
1 BR
$684
2 BR
$848
3 BR
$1,151
4 BR
$1,256
Owner-occupied 41.9%
Renter-occupied 58.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,003
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,617/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.9 min
26% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.2%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
1.1%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
13.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.4%
Total Sales Tax 9.5%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 3.0%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$59,074
21% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,885
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
2% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.4%
Labor Force Participation
65.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.7%
Graduate degree 22.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 28.7
Male median age 28.4
Female median age 29

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
69.3°F
Avg Low
45.6°F
Annual Precip
47"
Annual Snowfall
6.5"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485261707785898982715950
Low °F 252936455463676557453528
Precip" 2.752.563.985.015.894.313.803.174.264.483.683.07
Snow" 1.52.41.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.21.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
72.6%
Good air days/yr
119
Max AQI recorded
42
PM2.5 days
323
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, AR?

Fayetteville has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Fayetteville, AR?

The median gross rent in Fayetteville is $1,003 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fayetteville?

The median home value in Fayetteville is $322,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fayetteville?

The median household income in Fayetteville is $59,074 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fayetteville, AR?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fayetteville is 9.5%. The Arkansas state income tax top rate is 4.4%.

Is Fayetteville, AR affordable?

Fayetteville is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has average high temperatures of 69.3°F and average lows of 45.6°F. Annual precipitation is 47". Average annual snowfall is 6.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fayetteville at a Glance

Population
97,227
Median Income
$59,074
Home Value
$322,500
Median Rent
$1,003/mo
Unemployment
4.9%
Avg High Temp
69.3°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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