Fayetteville wins overall by ~20% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fayetteville vs Chicago (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Fayetteville buys roughly what $75,895 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$9,607/yr
Favoring Fayetteville for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $801/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~19 months and still keep ~$96/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Fayetteville Arkansas | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,500 | Fayetteville wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $1,900 | Fayetteville wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Wins | $2,600 | Fayetteville wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Median home price | $280KWins | $360K | Fayetteville wins +$80K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 102 | Fayetteville wins +7 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Fayetteville wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Fayetteville wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $105 | Fayetteville wins +$63/mo | $756/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Fayetteville wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Fayetteville wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $162Better | $165 | Fayetteville wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Fayetteville wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $55K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Better | 4.9% | Fayetteville wins +0.5 pp | $305/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.0%Wins | 10.3% | Fayetteville wins +1.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $16.00 | Fayetteville wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $45 | Fayetteville wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Fayetteville wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Wins | 107 | Fayetteville wins +21 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +56 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Fayetteville fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fayetteville.
High-yield savings
Park ~$7,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayetteville cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Fayetteville is 20% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fayetteville vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fayetteville is $1,300/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Fayetteville is cheaper by 32%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $93,314/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fayetteville or Chicago?
Fayetteville has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fayetteville to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Fayetteville offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Fayetteville ↔ Chicago
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