Bella Vista, AR vs Van Buren, AR

The cost of living difference between Bella Vista, AR and Van Buren, AR is dramatic. Van Buren is 34.8% 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 Van Buren sits at 69, 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 $820/month in Van Buren — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Van Buren is more affordable at $178,000 median vs $262,400.

Median household income in Bella Vista is $85,932 compared to $59,420 in Van Buren (+44.6%). 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, more than the 16.6% in Van Buren.