Austin, AR vs Malvern, AR

The cost of living difference between Austin, AR and Malvern, AR is dramatic. Malvern is 43.4% cheaper than Austin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Austin has a cost index of 87 while Malvern sits at 61, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Austin is $1,284/month compared to $760/month in Malvern — a 69% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malvern is more affordable at $95,500 median vs $209,800.

Median household income in Austin is $93,315 compared to $40,602 in Malvern (+129.8%). While Austin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Austin spend roughly 16.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.5% in Malvern.