Arkansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Fayetteville, AR

The median household in Fayetteville, AR earns $62,695 a year ($5,225/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,347/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,880 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 8.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$62,695$5,225 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,347HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)91.4-8.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Census Population99,319Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Fayetteville, AR

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,347Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,567At 30% of $62,695
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fayetteville, AR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Fayetteville, AR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,007$12,084$40,28019.3%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,115$13,380$44,60021.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,347$16,164$53,88025.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,873$22,476$74,92035.8%
4-Bedroom Home$2,213$26,556$88,52042.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Fayetteville, AR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Fayetteville, AR

Based on the local median household income of $62,695/year ($5,225/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,612/moRent ($1,347 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,567/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 91.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,045/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arkansas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Arkansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$62,695
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,695
Net 81%
Fed 9%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,656After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,221Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,948Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,343 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$1,900 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,796 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Arkansas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fayetteville, AR

What is the median household income in Fayetteville, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fayetteville, AR is $62,695 per year (approximately $5,225 per month).

What is the average rent in Fayetteville, AR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fayetteville, AR are $1,007 for a studio, $1,115 for 1 bedroom, $1,347 for 2 bedrooms, $1,873 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,213 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Fayetteville, AR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fayetteville, AR is 91.4 (8.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Fayetteville, AR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,347/month) in Fayetteville, AR requires a minimum gross household income of $53,880 per year ($4,490 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Fayetteville, AR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $62,695/year ($5,225/month) in Fayetteville, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,612/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,567/month to discretionary spending, and $1,045/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fayetteville, AR?

Residential electricity rates in Arkansas average 14.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $127 per month.