Benton, AR vs Fayetteville, AR

Benton is moderately more affordable than Fayetteville, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Benton scores 78 compared to 89 for Fayetteville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fayetteville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Benton is $1,003/month compared to $1,003/month in Fayetteville — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fayetteville has cheaper rent, Benton actually has lower median home values ($199,400 vs $322,500).

Median household income in Benton is $69,638 compared to $59,074 in Fayetteville (+17.9%). Benton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Benton spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.4% in Fayetteville.