Montgomery wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fayetteville vs Montgomery (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fayetteville buys roughly what $57,857 does in Montgomery (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
−$1,773/yr
Favoring Montgomery for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $148/mo in Montgomery, 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 | Montgomery Alabama | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950 | $850Better | Montgomery wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,050Wins | Montgomery wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Montgomery |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,550 | $1,400Better | Montgomery wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Montgomery |
| Median home price | $230K | $195KWins | Montgomery wins −$35K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 93 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $11 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48 | $46Better | Montgomery wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42 | $38Better | Montgomery wins −$4/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10 | $2.98Better | Montgomery wins −$0.12 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $143Better | $148 | Fayetteville wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Wins | $170 | Fayetteville wins +$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Fayetteville |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $47KBetter | $44K | Fayetteville wins −$3K 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 | $33 | $30Better | Montgomery wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 84 | 81Better | Montgomery wins -3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 24Better | Montgomery wins +2 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
Montgomery 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 Montgomery.
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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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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
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayetteville cheaper than Montgomery?
No. Montgomery is 4% cheaper than Fayetteville based on overall cost of living indices (81 vs 84, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fayetteville vs Montgomery?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fayetteville is $1,200/month and in Montgomery is $1,050/month. Fayetteville is more expensive by 14%.
How much do I need to earn in Montgomery to match a $75,000 salary in Fayetteville?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $72,321/year in Montgomery 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 Montgomery?
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 Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. Montgomery 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 ↔ Montgomery
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