CostIndexUSA

Fayetteville, AR vs Modesto, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Fayetteville
91.4
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent

Fayetteville is moderately cheaper than Modesto — 13.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fayetteville, you would need $91,100 in Modesto. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+41.1%
Fayetteville
76.9
Modesto
108.5
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Fayetteville
93.6
Modesto
105.2
🚗 Transportation+5.2%
Fayetteville
100.1
Modesto
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+5.3%
Fayetteville
90.5
Modesto
95.3
Utilities+102.8%
Fayetteville
75.1
Modesto
152.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Modesto, CA
$91,100
$11,100 more needed in Modesto

Formula: salary × (104.1 ÷ 91.4) = salary × 1.1389. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fayetteville, AR

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

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Modesto has 41.1% higher housing costs compared to Fayetteville.

Income & Job Market

Fayetteville, AR

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

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

Fayetteville, AR
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.