Fayetteville, NC vs Jacksonville, NC

Fayetteville is moderately more affordable than Jacksonville, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Fayetteville scores 82 compared to 86 for Jacksonville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Jacksonville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month compared to $1,268/month in Jacksonville — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fayetteville is more affordable at $171,900 median vs $191,700.

Median household income in Fayetteville is $56,395 compared to $54,069 in Jacksonville (+4.3%). Fayetteville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fayetteville spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, less than the 28.1% in Jacksonville.