Bella Vista, AR vs Forrest City, AR

The cost of living difference between Bella Vista, AR and Forrest City, AR is dramatic. Forrest City is 49.9% cheaper than Bella Vista, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bella Vista has a cost index of 93 while Forrest City sits at 62, 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 Bella Vista is $1,316/month compared to $795/month in Forrest City — a 66% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Forrest City is more affordable at $87,800 median vs $262,400.

Median household income in Bella Vista is $85,932 compared to $33,522 in Forrest City (+156.3%). While Bella Vista is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bella Vista spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, less than the 28.5% in Forrest City.