Cost of Living in Forrest City, AR

With a cost of living index of 62, Forrest City, AR is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Living here is 38% cheaper than the national average and 8% below the Arkansas state average of 70. Forrest City is a smaller community of 12,826 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Forrest City's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $795 (40% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $87,800 (71% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.6x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Forrest City is $33,522, which is 55% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 28% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.