Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Fayetteville to Phoenix
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $58,407) and higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,250) than Fayetteville. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 21 minutes) and applies a simplified state income tax reference of 2.50%, while Fayetteville’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. The trade-off involves higher earnings and housing costs in Phoenix versus lower income and expenses in Fayetteville, with commute and tax assumptions influencing net affordability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → FayettevilleMoving from Fayetteville to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$332/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$3,984 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 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.
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 VERDICTFAY → PHX
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$5,600after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Fayetteville is about $3,984 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Fayetteville gross rent$1,250
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Fayetteville | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 210,815 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,250 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $188,000 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 21 minutes in Fayetteville and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State income tax reference
What each city wins
Fayetteville
Citywide data. Watch housing vs income.
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median gross rent ($1,582) and higher income ($81,332) than Fayetteville ($1,250 rent, $58,407 income), but the rent-to-income ratio is slightly higher in Fayetteville at 25.7% versus 23.3% in Phoenix.
How do commute times affect the comparison between the two cities?
Fayetteville’s average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 7 minutes shorter than Phoenix’s 28 minutes, potentially offering time savings that may offset some of the income difference when considering overall quality of life.
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.