Bella Vista, AR vs Malvern, AR

The cost of living difference between Bella Vista, AR and Malvern, AR is dramatic. Malvern is 53.1% 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 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 Bella Vista is $1,316/month compared to $760/month in Malvern — a 73% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malvern is more affordable at $95,500 median vs $262,400.

Median household income in Bella Vista is $85,932 compared to $40,602 in Malvern (+111.6%). 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 22.5% in Malvern.