CostIndexUSA

Asheville, NC vs Fayetteville, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Asheville
96.5
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Fayetteville
92
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Fayetteville is slightly cheaper than Asheville — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $76,300 in Fayetteville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing21.7%
Asheville
93.4
Fayetteville
73.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Asheville
96.6
Fayetteville
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Asheville
103.1
Fayetteville
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Asheville
93.3
Fayetteville
93.3
Utilities0.9%
Asheville
88.6
Fayetteville
87.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Asheville to see what you'd need to earn in Fayetteville to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fayetteville, NC
$76,300
$3,700 less needed in Fayetteville

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 96.5) = salary × 0.9534. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Asheville, NC

Median Home Price
$413,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
93.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7×

Fayetteville, NC

Median Home Price
$251,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
73.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

Asheville has 21.7% lower housing costs compared to Fayetteville.

Income & Job Market

Asheville, NC

Median Household Income
$67,800
Per Capita Income
$38,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
92,452
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareTechnologyArtsManufacturing

Fayetteville, NC

Median Household Income
$61,200
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
6.5%
Population
208,501
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareRetailGovernmentManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Asheville, NC
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Fayetteville, NC
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.