Cost of Living Comparison Between Fayetteville, AR and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Fayetteville, AR and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,186 in Fayetteville, AR versus $2,719 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,372 in Fayetteville, AR versus $4,104 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,559 in Fayetteville, AR versus $5,490 in Austin, TX.

Living in Fayetteville, AR costs roughly 20% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Fayetteville, AR 63% above, Austin, TX 102% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.19 $16.19
$19.36 $19.36
-16.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.8 $59.8
$73.7 $73.7
-18.86%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.10 $9.10
$10.19 $10.19
-10.70%
Cappuccino
$4.85 $4.85
$5.71 $5.71
-15.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.65 $2.65
-17.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 $1.36
$2.19 $2.19
-37.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.99 $4.99
$5.91 $5.91
-15.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.06 $6.06
$8.09 $8.09
-25.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.09 $1.09
-11.93%
White Bread (500g)
$3.48 $3.48
$3.38 $3.38
2.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.11 $3.11
$3.34 $3.34
-6.89%
Eggs
$2.93 $2.93
$4.44 $4.44
-34.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.35 $8.35
$11.87 $11.87
-29.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.62 $8.62
$10.81 $10.81
-20.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.32 $13.32
$14.27 $14.27
-6.66%
Apples (1kg)
$4.57 $4.57
$4.82 $4.82
-5.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 $1.39
$1.54 $1.54
-9.74%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.64 $2.64
$4.56 $4.56
-42.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.99 $3.99
$3.98 $3.98
0.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.89 $1.89
$2.86 $2.86
-33.92%
Onion (1kg)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.78 $2.78
-9.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.95 $1.95
-25.13%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$2.22 $2.22
-12.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.41 $8.41
$9.07 $9.07
-7.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.29 $15.29
$14.95 $14.95
2.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 $1.63
$2.29 $2.29
-28.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$3.40 $3.40
-35.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.49 $1.49
34.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$42.63 $42.63
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.44 $2.44
$4.32 $4.32
-43.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.28 $1.28
$1.78 $1.78
-28.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.15 $24.15
$34.51 $34.51
-30.02%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$0.75 $0.75
5.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9K $23.9K
$25.2K $25.2K
-5.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K $25.7K
$26.6K $26.6K
-3.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$174 $174
$176 $176
-0.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.6 $52.6
$59.6 $59.6
-11.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.9 $62.9
$66.9 $66.9
-5.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.0 $71.0
$62.4 $62.4
13.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.96 $9.96
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.70 $12.70
$15.04 $15.04
-15.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,045 $1,045
$1,387 $1,387
-24.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$18.6K $18.6K
$22.4K $22.4K
-16.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.2 $53.2
$56.4 $56.4
-5.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.05 $42.05
$46.71 $46.71
-9.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 $102
$86.5 $86.5
18.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$119 $119
-5.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,530 $1,530
$2,174 $2,174
-29.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,038 $1,038
$1,439 $1,439
-27.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,800 $2,800
$3,754 $3,754
-25.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,106 $2,106
$2,698 $2,698
-21.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,619 $2,619
$7,033 $7,033
-62.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,188 $2,188
$3,113 $3,113
-29.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fayetteville, AR
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,593 $3,593
$5,081 $5,081
-29.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.58
6.45
2.02%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Fayetteville, AR: June 6, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,530 in Fayetteville, AR and $2,174 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 41% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $60.0 in Fayetteville, AR vs $74.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $321 vs $377 per month, with Fayetteville, AR cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Fayetteville, AR vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Fayetteville, AR or Austin, TX?
Fayetteville, AR wins on cost – living expenses run 24% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Fayetteville, AR the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Fayetteville, AR or Austin, TX?
On paper, Austin, TX earns 41% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Fayetteville, AR vs Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,530 in Fayetteville, AR versus $2,174 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Fayetteville, AR and Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $1,045 in Fayetteville, AR versus $1,387 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Fayetteville, AR vs Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Fayetteville, AR – a meal for two runs $60.0 versus $74.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Fayetteville, AR or Austin, TX?
At $2,186 in Fayetteville, AR versus $2,719 in Austin, TX, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Fayetteville, AR but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Fayetteville, AR the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Fayetteville, AR or Austin, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Fayetteville, AR compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Fayetteville, AR and Austin, TX are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Fayetteville, AR gentler on the wallet – expenses run 24% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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