Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Norfolk?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $41,000 in Norfolk.

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Norfolk?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Norfolk Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/mo est.

Norfolk

Virginia

$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 Norfolk, VA. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $64,017 in Norfolk, VA — about 8% higher in Norfolk, VA. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Norfolk, VA

Rent

Studio

$709

$1,102

+55% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,032

+26% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$999

$1,214

+22% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$1,602

+12% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$271,900

+16% in Fayetteville, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$64,017

+8% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$49,430

+6% in Norfolk, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

32.4 yr

+3.7 yr in Norfolk, VA

Homeownership

41.9%

45.7%

+3.8 pp in Norfolk, VA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

32.7%

+17.1 pp in Fayetteville, AR

Avg Commute

18.2 min

22.9 min

+4.7 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

479.5

+12% in Norfolk, VA

Property Crime

2,392.2

3,800.7

+59% in Norfolk, VA

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

61.3°F

+4.2°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

44.8 in

+3.8 in in Fayetteville, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Norfolk, VA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

17.2

+22% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$27.20

+2% in Fayetteville, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / VA)

6.5%

5.3%

+1.2 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

5.75%

+1.9 pp in VA

Fayetteville vs Norfolk — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Norfolk?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Norfolk?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $41,000 in Norfolk.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Norfolk?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Norfolk under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).