Cost of Living in Fayetteville, AR
Updated November 2026 · Washington County · Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area · population 99,319
Prices in Fayetteville are 10.4% below the US average (local index 89.6; the BEA index for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area is 91.4), with local housing the biggest saving at 68.0; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,246 a month and the median rent is $1,065.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Fayetteville's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area, unchanged.
Fayetteville price index by category, US average = 100: All items 89.6, Housing (rents) 68.0, Goods 93.6, Utilities 75.1, Other services 95.3
It is the 6th most expensive of the 9 Arkansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 94% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 91.7 | 92.7 | 93.0 | 90.8 | 91.5 | 91.4 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fayetteville, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $712 | $8,544 | 32% |
| Utilities | $217 | $2,604 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $561 | $6,732 | 25% |
| Health care | $335 | $4,020 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 7% |
| Total | $2,246 | $26,952 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fayetteville, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $870 | $10,440 | 23% |
| Utilities | $343 | $4,116 | 9% |
| Food at home | $487 | $5,844 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,110 | $13,320 | 30% |
| Health care | $621 | $7,452 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $310 | $3,720 | 8% |
| Total | $3,741 | $44,892 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fayetteville, AR
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,239 | $14,868 | 26% |
| Utilities | $418 | $5,016 | 9% |
| Food at home | $695 | $8,340 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,476 | $17,712 | 31% |
| Health care | $578 | $6,936 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $399 | $4,788 | 8% |
| Total | $4,805 | $57,660 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Fayetteville
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $767 |
| 1 bedroom | $867 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,059 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,508 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,606 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,065 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $875 |
| Median home value | $349,600 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,776/mo |
| Median household income | $62,695 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 29.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Expensive | 5.6× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Arkansas
14.37¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +7.8% (from 13.33¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,055 kWh a month in Arkansas ≈ $143/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Arkansas is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Fayetteville are 10.4% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,900 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 89.6. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springdale, AR | 8 mi | 89.7 | $2,167 | $1,071 |
| Rogers, AR | 17 mi | 92.0 | $2,424 | $1,270 |
| Bentonville, AR | 20 mi | 92.9 | $2,464 | $1,344 |
| Fort Smith, AR | 51 mi | 87.1 | $2,001 | $884 |
| Branson, MO | 62 mi | 87.8 | $2,352 | $961 |
| Joplin, MO | 72 mi | 86.5 | $2,055 | $962 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan, KS | 89.7 | $2,265 | $1,003 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 89.6 | $2,170 | $967 |
| Port Arthur, TX | 89.6 | $2,243 | $1,021 |
| Columbia, MO | 89.6 | $2,329 | $1,097 |
| The Villages, FL | 89.5 | $2,623 | $1,397 |
| Martinsville, VA | 89.5 | $2,044 | $808 |
Compare Fayetteville with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayetteville, AR an expensive place to live?
Fayetteville has a local cost of living index of 89.6, which is 10.4% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area (91.4) and adjusts housing to Fayetteville's own rents. It is 2.7 points above the Arkansas average. It is the 6th most expensive of the 9 Arkansas cities in our data. Cheaper than 94% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Fayetteville?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,246 for a single adult, $3,741 for a couple and $4,805 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $53,800 in Fayetteville.
What is the average rent in Fayetteville?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,065 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $867, 2 bedrooms $1,059, 3 bedrooms $1,508. The typical renter spends 29.6% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Fayetteville?
The median owner-estimated home value is $349,600, 5.6 times the median household income of $62,695 (expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,776 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Fayetteville?
Arkansas residential electricity averaged 14.37¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 91.4) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0523290 (Fayetteville city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Arkansas residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources