Salary Needed to Live in Fayetteville as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $62,190/year to live comfortably in Fayetteville, AR, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $62,190/year to live comfortably in Fayetteville, AR. The bare-minimum salary is $52,240/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,795.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,265/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,183/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$62,190
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$52,240
$4,353/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,265
27% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Fayetteville
| Expense | Fayetteville | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $951 | $1,641 | -42% |
| Groceries | $369 | $320 | +15% |
| Utilities | $170 | $225 | -24% |
| Transportation | $253 | $421 | -40% |
| Car Insurance | $128 | $223 | -43% |
| Health Insurance | $534 | $672 | -21% |
| Internet | $58 | $65 | -11% |
| Phone (x2) | $125 | $140 | -11% |
| Dining & Social | $401 | $450 | -11% |
| Entertainment | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $116 | $130 | -11% |
| Total Monthly | $3,265 | $4,467 | -27% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,265
Target savings (12%):$530/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,795
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$62,190
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$951
1-2BR Apartment rent is 29% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus AR state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$530/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
89/100
Fayetteville is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $951/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $860/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $52,240/year as the survival floor and $62,190/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Fayetteville
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Fayetteville?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $62,190/year ($5,183/month gross) to live comfortably in Fayetteville with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Fayetteville?
A 1-2br apartment in Fayetteville costs approximately $951/month, which is the largest single expense at 29% of the total budget.
Is Fayetteville affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Fayetteville is 27% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).