Little Rock, AR vs Fayetteville, AR: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Fayetteville, AR is 2.2% more expensive than Little Rock, AR (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Little Rock works out to about $76,700 in Fayetteville, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 12.6% more in Fayetteville. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,571 a month in Fayetteville and $1,234 in Little Rock, $4,044 a year more in Fayetteville (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $364,000 in Fayetteville and $230,000 in Little Rock.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.3%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 12.6% higher in Fayetteville than in Little Rock
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
All items Little Rock, AR: 89.4 Fayetteville, AR: 91.4
Goods Little Rock, AR: 93.6 Fayetteville, AR: 93.6
Housing (rents) Little Rock, AR: 68.3 Fayetteville, AR: 76.9
Utilities Little Rock, AR: 74.6 Fayetteville, AR: 75.1
Other services Little Rock, AR: 95.3 Fayetteville, AR: 95.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 91.4 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 68.3 | 76.9 |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.1 |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.3 |
| Category | Little Rock | Fayetteville | Fayetteville vs Little Rock |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 91.4 | +2.2% |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.6 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 68.3 | 76.9 | +12.6% |
| Utilities | 74.6 | 75.1 | +0.6% |
| Other services | 95.3 | 95.3 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,234 | $1,571 | +27.3% |
| Typical home value | $230,000 | $364,000 | +58.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Little Rock | $75,000 | $76,700 | +2.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Little Rock and Fayetteville has widened since 2008: 0.3 points then, 2.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.8 | 92.6 |
| 2009 | 91.4 | 91.7 |
| 2010 | 93.6 | 92.5 |
| 2011 | 93.7 | 93.8 |
| 2012 | 93.7 | 94.3 |
| 2013 | 94.0 | 93.8 |
| 2014 | 93.7 | 93.4 |
| 2015 | 93.6 | 93.5 |
| 2016 | 94.3 | 94.3 |
| 2017 | 93.4 | 93.4 |
| 2018 | 90.3 | 90.8 |
| 2019 | 90.5 | 91.7 |
| 2020 | 90.6 | 92.7 |
| 2021 | 91.6 | 93.0 |
| 2022 | 89.3 | 90.8 |
| 2023 | 89.5 | 91.5 |
| 2024 | 89.4 | 91.4 |
Goods
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2009 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2012 | 97.1 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 97.2 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 97.5 | 97.5 |
| 2015 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 96.7 | 96.8 |
| 2018 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 94.8 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.3 | 94.3 |
| 2021 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2022 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 72.8 | 72.7 |
| 2009 | 70.8 | 71.7 |
| 2010 | 75.4 | 70.7 |
| 2011 | 72.1 | 72.0 |
| 2012 | 70.4 | 72.5 |
| 2013 | 73.4 | 71.1 |
| 2014 | 72.3 | 68.2 |
| 2015 | 71.4 | 70.5 |
| 2016 | 73.1 | 70.0 |
| 2017 | 69.7 | 68.6 |
| 2018 | 67.6 | 67.8 |
| 2019 | 66.6 | 71.2 |
| 2020 | 65.3 | 71.9 |
| 2021 | 70.3 | 75.5 |
| 2022 | 65.1 | 71.6 |
| 2023 | 67.3 | 75.9 |
| 2024 | 68.3 | 76.9 |
Utilities
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.2 | 84.4 |
| 2009 | 82.8 | 82.9 |
| 2010 | 81.6 | 82.5 |
| 2011 | 81.5 | 81.9 |
| 2012 | 82.0 | 82.1 |
| 2013 | 82.3 | 82.6 |
| 2014 | 81.7 | 82.0 |
| 2015 | 83.7 | 84.2 |
| 2016 | 82.4 | 82.7 |
| 2017 | 80.5 | 81.1 |
| 2018 | 79.5 | 79.8 |
| 2019 | 78.5 | 79.2 |
| 2020 | 81.6 | 81.9 |
| 2021 | 82.7 | 82.9 |
| 2022 | 82.3 | 83.1 |
| 2023 | 82.1 | 82.6 |
| 2024 | 74.6 | 75.1 |
Other services
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 98.5 |
| 2009 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2011 | 101.5 | 101.5 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 101.9 |
| 2013 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 100.6 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 101.0 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 100.7 | 100.8 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2021 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2022 | 95.9 | 95.9 |
| 2023 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2024 | 95.3 | 95.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,571 in Fayetteville vs $1,234 in Little Rock
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $810 | $871 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $818 | $893 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $820 | $888 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $820 | $897 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $821 | $908 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $825 | $931 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $830 | $934 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $835 | $937 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $837 | $960 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $841 | $974 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $846 | $984 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $843 | $980 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $851 | $998 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $853 | $1,006 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $860 | $1,014 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $864 | $1,014 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $873 | $1,031 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $882 | $1,045 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $884 | $1,047 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $888 | $1,042 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $890 | $1,072 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $912 | $1,080 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $942 | $1,097 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $949 | $1,105 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $969 | $1,139 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,006 | $1,173 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,042 | $1,228 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,047 | $1,251 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,063 | $1,274 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,090 | $1,338 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,106 | $1,399 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,097 | $1,400 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,106 | $1,426 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,135 | $1,434 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,139 | $1,451 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,147 | $1,437 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,161 | $1,459 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,185 | $1,483 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,188 | $1,503 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,185 | $1,508 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,196 | $1,524 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,212 | $1,544 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,209 | $1,552 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,214 | $1,558 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,226 | $1,563 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,238 | $1,568 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,234 | $1,571 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $364,000 in Fayetteville vs $230,000 in Little Rock
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Little Rock, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Little Rock, AR | Fayetteville, AR | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $147K | $157K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $148K | $158K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $149K | $161K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $151K | $164K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $153K | $167K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $152K | $170K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $152K | $173K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $152K | $177K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $152K | $180K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $153K | $183K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $154K | $186K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $156K | $189K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $156K | $192K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $156K | $194K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $157K | $196K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $158K | $198K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $160K | $201K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $162K | $204K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $161K | $207K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $163K | $209K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $165K | $213K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $167K | $216K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $170K | $222K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $175K | $234K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $179K | $244K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $185K | $257K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $191K | $271K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $195K | $283K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $202K | $299K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $208K | $319K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $210K | $322K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $210K | $323K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $209K | $322K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $212K | $327K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $213K | $333K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $214K | $336K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $215K | $339K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $219K | $343K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $219K | $345K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $221K | $349K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $222K | $353K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $221K | $353K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $222K | $356K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $225K | $361K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $228K | $364K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $229K | $364K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $230K | $364K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.