Cost of living in Fayetteville, AR
622,177 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 8.6% below the US average, with housing at 76.9 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,455 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Fayetteville, AR
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2021 childcare prices for Washington County, AR in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $81,650 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $6,804 |
| Taxes | $945 | $1,565 | $803 |
| Take-home pay | $4,055 | $7,602 | $6,001 |
| Housing | $1,056 | $1,256 | $1,256 |
| Childcare | $0 | $785 | $1,277 |
| Food | $412 | $925 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $156 | $313 | $313 |
| Sales tax | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Other goods & services | $944 | $944 | $944 |
| Left over | $1,455 | $3,349 | $980 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($81,650). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Fayetteville, AR vs Arkansas and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Arkansas statewide (light).
Within Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR ranks 1st of 5 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 86.9. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $916 | $36,640 | 13.5% |
| 1-bedroom | $1,056 | $42,240 | 15.5% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,256 | $50,240 | 18.5% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,739 | $69,560 | 25.6% |
| 4-bedroom | $2,099 | $83,960 | 30.8% |
FY2027 FMRs for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $1,157 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Washington County, AR
DOL has no 2022 price for Washington County, AR; these are the latest published prices, from 2021, adjusted to current dollars with the BLS CPI change since 2021.
| Age band | Center, weekly (2021) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2021) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $148 | $9,746 | $115 | $7,599 |
| Toddler (2) | $143 | $9,418 | $103 | $6,773 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $128 | $8,425 | $98 | $6,442 |
| School-age (5–12) | $105 | $6,905 | $93 | $6,112 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2021 county medians for full-time care in Washington County, AR (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2707, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2021 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Fayetteville
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Arkansas income tax | $1,362 | $2,287 | $4,240 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,416 | $4,942 | $7,418 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 18.0% | 20.9% | 25.8% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Fayetteville in our data. State sales tax: 6.5% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Calculate take-home pay for your household in Fayetteville, AR
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | — | 91.4 | $1,256 | $1,455 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK · compare | 51 mi | 85.9 | $979 | $1,763 (+$308) |
| Joplin, MO-KS · compare | 72 mi | 85.7 | $1,153 | $1,595 (+$139) |
| Springfield, MO · compare | 91 mi | 88.6 | $1,113 | $1,592 (+$136) |
| Tulsa, OK · compare | 97 mi | 89.2 | $1,229 | $1,468 (+$13) |
| Hot Springs, AR · compare | 126 mi | 85.7 | $1,110 | $1,648 (+$193) |
| Little Rock, AR · compare | 138 mi | 89.4 | $1,121 | $1,542 (+$87) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fayetteville, AR expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Fayetteville, AR metro at 91.4 (US = 100) in 2024 — 8.6% below the national average and the 261st highest of 387 metros. Housing is 76.9, goods 93.6.
What salary do you need to live in Fayetteville, AR?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,055 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,455 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Fayetteville, AR?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $1,056 for a 1-bedroom and $1,256 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $1,157.
Does Fayetteville have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Fayetteville in our 2026 data. Arkansas state income tax does apply.