CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Fayetteville, AR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableAR
Fayetteville
91.4
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Fayetteville is moderately cheaper than Boulder — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $69,500 in Fayetteville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.0%
Boulder
157
Fayetteville
76.9
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Boulder
96.1
Fayetteville
93.6
🚗 Transportation4.5%
Boulder
104.8
Fayetteville
100.1
🏥 Healthcare4.5%
Boulder
94.8
Fayetteville
90.5
Utilities9.2%
Boulder
82.7
Fayetteville
75.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fayetteville, AR
$69,500
$10,500 less needed in Fayetteville

Formula: salary × (91.4 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.8688. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Fayetteville, AR

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
76.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9×

Boulder has 51.0% lower housing costs compared to Fayetteville.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Fayetteville, AR

Median Household Income
$77,700
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
93,949
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Fayetteville, AR
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.