Bella Vista, AR vs Hot Springs, AR

The cost of living difference between Bella Vista, AR and Hot Springs, AR is dramatic. Hot Springs is 32.8% 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 Hot Springs sits at 70, 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 $902/month in Hot Springs — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hot Springs is more affordable at $156,900 median vs $262,400.

Median household income in Bella Vista is $85,932 compared to $46,441 in Hot Springs (+85%). 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 23.3% in Hot Springs.