Fayetteville vs Birmingham — side-by-side
Cost of living: Fayetteville vs Birmingham (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fayetteville buys roughly what $60,000 does in Birmingham (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
+$323/yr
Favoring Fayetteville for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $27/mo in Fayetteville, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 North Carolina | Birmingham Alabama | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Better | $950 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,200 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,550Better | $1,550 | — | — |
| Median home price | $230K | $225KBetter | Birmingham wins −$5K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 94 | Fayetteville wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Fayetteville wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $48 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42 | $40Better | Birmingham wins −$2/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $3.00Better | Birmingham wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $143Better | $152 | Fayetteville wins +$9/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Wins | $175 | Fayetteville wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $47K | $49KBetter | Birmingham wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 5.0% | Fayetteville wins +0.5 pp | $300/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 9.2% | Fayetteville wins +2.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $13.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $33 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 84Better | 84 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 28Wins | Birmingham wins +6 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
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
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.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fayetteville vs Birmingham?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fayetteville is $1,200/month and in Birmingham is $1,200/month. Fayetteville is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Birmingham to match a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Birmingham 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 Birmingham?
Fayetteville has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5%. 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 Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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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