Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Fayetteville, AR's $990, mainly because of natural gas costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Idaho Falls?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Idaho Falls?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $990 in Fayetteville, AR versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fayetteville, AR, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 15% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$709

$818

+15% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$817

$827

+1% in Idaho Falls, ID

2 Bedroom

$999

$957

+4% in Fayetteville, AR

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$1,278

+11% in Fayetteville, AR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$298,600

+7% in Fayetteville, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$69,630

+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$46,800

+0% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

33.5 yr

+4.8 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

41.9%

64.1%

+22.2 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

31.0%

+18.8 pp in Fayetteville, AR

Avg Commute

18.2 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

365.3

+15% in Fayetteville, AR

Property Crime

2,392.2

1,235.5

+48% in Fayetteville, AR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

44.2°F

+12.9°F in Fayetteville, AR

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

10.4 in

+38.1 in in Fayetteville, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.4

+2% in Idaho Falls, ID

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$11.33

+59% in Fayetteville, AR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Fayetteville, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / ID)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

5.30%

+1.4 pp in ID

Fayetteville vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Fayetteville, AR's $990, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Idaho Falls?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).