Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Seattle?

Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Seattle?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $990 in Fayetteville, AR versus $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 51% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 52% higher in Seattle, WA. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$709

$1,638

+131% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,858

+127% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$999

$2,359

+136% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$2,918

+104% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$912,100

+183% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$121,984

+106% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$72,610

+56% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

35.5 yr

+6.8 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

41.9%

44.2%

+2.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

67.5%

+17.7 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

18.2 min

26.6 min

+8.4 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

788.6

+84% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

2,392.2

5,108.8

+114% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+3.6°F in Fayetteville, AR

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

37.7 in

+10.8 in in Fayetteville, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.41/gal

+50% in Seattle, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$21.34

+23% in Fayetteville, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Fayetteville, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / WA)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

None

+3.9 pp in AR

Fayetteville vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Seattle?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 51% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Seattle?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).