Compare any U.S. Census place · Official 2024 ACS data · Guarded AI analysis

Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from Fayetteville to Los Angeles

Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Los Angeles has higher median household income ($81,939 vs $58,407) and higher housing costs (rent $1,933 vs $1,250; home value $921,200 vs $188,000) than Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a shorter commute (21 vs 33 minutes). Los Angeles applies a 9.30% state income tax in the calculator, while Fayetteville’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. These factors reflect trade-offs in affordability, earnings, and time costs.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from Fayetteville to Los Angeles

⇄ Switch to Los AngelesFayetteville
Median Rent Impact
+$683/mo

Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$8,196 more/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
+9.3%

~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.

Daily Commute Difference
+12 min / day

Difference of ~100 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.

Your move

Compare the life behind the offer.

Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.

Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.

Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.

What matters most?

Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.

LIVE VERDICTFAYLAX
37/ 100

The offer needs work

The destination absorbs more of the offer.
Estimated annual life delta$6,228after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$71,176
Core costs$30,000$38,196
Commute time94 hours lost
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
See assumptions and methodology →
Advertisement

The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Fayetteville is about $8,196 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.

Fayetteville household income$58,407
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Fayetteville gross rent$1,250
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricFayettevilleLos Angeles
2024 ACS population210,8153,857,263
Median household income$58,407$81,939
Median gross rent$1,250$1,933
Median owner-occupied home value$188,000$921,200
State-tax treatmentExcluded9.3% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

How much do you need to earn to live in Los Angeles?

2024 ACS Median Income

$81,939/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$77,320 / year

To afford Los Angeles's median gross rent of $1,933/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $37.17/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$233,571 / year

Modeled against Los Angeles's median home benchmark of $921,200 (estimated $5,450/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$81,939gross/year
Affordability Status:Balanced
Rent is 28% of gross income (45% of net pay)

Rent aligns with the standard 30% rule (28% of gross pay). Standard budgeting applies.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,339/mo
Tax 36%
Rent 28%
Essentials 18%
Savings 18%
Taxes: $2,458/mo Rent: $1,933/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,156/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Fayetteville and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.

Advertisement

Decision checklist

  • Median household income
  • Median gross rent
  • Median owner-occupied home value
  • One-way commute time
  • State individual income tax treatment

What each city wins

Fayetteville

Citywide data. Watch housing vs income.

Los Angeles

A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.

Frequently asked questions

How do housing costs compare between the two cities?

Los Angeles has a median gross rent of $1,933 per month and median home value of $921,200, both significantly higher than Fayetteville’s $1,250 rent and $188,000 home value, according to 2024 ACS 5-year estimates.

What is the difference in commute times between the cities?

Fayetteville has a derived one-way commute estimate of 21 minutes, while Los Angeles averages 33 minutes, based on weighted midpoints from the 2024 ACS table B08303.

Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.

Advertisement