Is Austin, TX cheaper than Fayetteville, AR?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 13.5% more expensive than Fayetteville, AR. This translates to spending an extra $1016 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Fayetteville, AR?

If you earn $150,000 in Fayetteville, AR, you'd need approximately $162,188.906 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fayetteville, AR and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 45.8% more expensive than in Fayetteville, AR. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,392/month in Fayetteville, AR.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fayetteville, AR to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1016 more per month than Fayetteville, AR, or $12189 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fayetteville, AR vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fayetteville, AR — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tulsa, OK area

Current salary in Fayetteville, AR

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.0K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.2K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,016

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.2K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Fayetteville, AR

Population:102K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$386K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$558K

Fayetteville, AR

The Natural State

102K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Arkansas, this city has a population of 102K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fayetteville, AR vs Austin, TX

Category	Fayetteville, AR	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,978/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $907more	45.8%
🏥Healthcare	$538/mo	$589/mo	↑ $50.83more	9.5%
⚡All Utilities	$497/mo	$541/mo	↑ $44.37more	8.9%
🛒Groceries	$929/mo	$959/mo	↑ $30.75more	3.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,296/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $12.09less	0.9%
📦Other	$1,745/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $4.51less	0.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 45.8%

Fayetteville, AR

$1,978

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$907

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.5%

Fayetteville, AR

$538

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$50.83

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.9%

Fayetteville, AR

$497

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$44.37

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.3%

Fayetteville, AR

$929

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$30.75

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.9%

Fayetteville, AR

$1,296

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$12.09

less

📦Other

↓ 0.3%

Fayetteville, AR

$1,745

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$4.51

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,043

To$1,585

↑ $542

1 Bed

From$1,152

To$1,685

↑ $533

2 Bed

From$1,392

To$1,995

↑ $603

3 Bed

From$1,934

To$2,525

↑ $591

Fayetteville, ARZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$1,130/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,983

Monthly in Fayetteville, AR

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,016

Difference

Home Values

Fayetteville

Austin

$386K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +4.8%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +46.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$378K - $394K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 45% more expensive than Fayetteville

Calculate payment - Fayetteville Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $9.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$752

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

6.0%

Rate difference

Fayetteville, AR

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arkansas State Tax

Effective: 6.0%

$9.0K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.7%

$46.0K

Take-Home Pay

$8,664/month

$104.0K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Fayetteville, AR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.