City Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Fayetteville = $152k in Chicago
Metric
Fayetteville
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.91
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,050/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,320/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
AR
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,206
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.79%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$61,606
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Fayetteville AR | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,598 $3,967/mo · 20.67% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,206 $6,184/mo · 25.79% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,398 $8,867/mo · 29.07% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fayetteville or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Fayetteville has a cost-of-living index of 0.91 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Fayetteville is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Fayetteville is $1,050/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Fayetteville?
$100k in Fayetteville = $152k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 51.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Fayetteville or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,206 in AR (Fayetteville) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $61,606 in Fayetteville vs $49,786 in Chicago.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideFayetteville vs New York City cost of livingFayetteville vs Los Angeles cost of livingFayetteville vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in FayettevilleCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in FayettevilleRegistered Nurse salary in FayettevilleWhere does $100k rank nationally?