Alma, AR vs Fairfield Bay, AR

Fairfield Bay is moderately more affordable than Alma, with a 7.5% lower cost of living index. Alma scores 76 compared to 71 for Fairfield Bay, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Alma can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alma is $992/month compared to $888/month in Fairfield Bay — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield Bay is more affordable at $157,300 median vs $197,200.

Median household income in Alma is $58,320 compared to $54,735 in Fairfield Bay (+6.5%). The higher salaries in Alma partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Alma spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.5% in Fairfield Bay.