Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Newark?

Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Newark?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $990 in Fayetteville, AR versus $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 18% higher in Fayetteville, AR. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$709

$1,111

+57% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$817

$978

+20% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$999

$1,386

+39% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$1,695

+19% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$337,800

+5% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$48,416

+18% in Fayetteville, AR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$61,430

+32% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

34.8 yr

+6.1 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

41.9%

24.1%

+17.8 pp in Fayetteville, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

17.4%

+32.4 pp in Fayetteville, AR

Avg Commute

18.2 min

33.2 min

+15.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

582.5

+36% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

2,392.2

1,961.8

+18% 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

54.9°F

+2.2°F in Fayetteville, AR

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

46.3 in

+2.3 in in Fayetteville, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Newark, NJ

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.9

+77% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$17.68

+37% in Fayetteville, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Fayetteville, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / NJ)

6.5%

6.625%

+0.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

10.75%

+6.8 pp in NJ

Fayetteville vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Newark?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Newark?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).