Salary Needed to Live in Fayetteville as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $47,557/year to live comfortably in Fayetteville, AR, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $47,557/year to live comfortably in Fayetteville, AR. The bare-minimum salary is $41,216/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,906.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,576/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $3,963/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$47,557
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$41,216
$3,435/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,576
28% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Fayetteville
| Expense | Fayetteville | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $783 | $1,351 | -42% |
| Groceries | $239 | $207 | +15% |
| Utilities | $127 | $169 | -25% |
| Transportation | $190 | $316 | -40% |
| Car Insurance | $128 | $223 | -43% |
| Health Insurance | $534 | $672 | -21% |
| Internet | $58 | $65 | -11% |
| Phone | $76 | $85 | -11% |
| Dining & Social | $267 | $300 | -11% |
| Entertainment | $107 | $120 | -11% |
| Personal Care | $67 | $75 | -11% |
| Total Monthly | $2,576 | $3,583 | -28% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,576
Target savings (10%):$330/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,906
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$47,557
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$783
Studio/1BR rent is 30% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus AR state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$330/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 studio/1br housing near $783/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $575/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $41,216/year as the survival floor and $47,557/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Fayetteville
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Fayetteville?
A single person needs approximately $47,557/year ($3,963/month gross) to live comfortably in Fayetteville with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Fayetteville?
A studio/1br in Fayetteville costs approximately $783/month, which is the largest single expense at 30% of the total budget.
Is Fayetteville affordable for a single person?
Yes, Fayetteville is 28% more affordable than the national average for a single person.