CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Fayetteville, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Fayetteville
92
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Fayetteville is moderately cheaper than Charlotte — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $75,600 in Fayetteville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.1%
Charlotte
97.6
Fayetteville
73.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Charlotte
96.6
Fayetteville
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Charlotte
103.1
Fayetteville
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Charlotte
93.3
Fayetteville
93.3
Utilities1.6%
Charlotte
89.2
Fayetteville
87.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fayetteville, NC
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Fayetteville

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 0.9455. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Fayetteville, NC

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

Charlotte has 25.1% lower housing costs compared to Fayetteville.

Income & Job Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Household Income
$81,300
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
879,709
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyEnergy

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).

Charlotte, NC
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.