Benton, AR vs Marion, AR

Benton, AR and Marion, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Benton scores 78 while Marion scores 81 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Benton is $1,003/month compared to $1,058/month in Marion — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Benton is more affordable at $199,400 median vs $206,300.

Median household income in Benton is $69,638 compared to $80,637 in Marion (-13.6%). While Marion is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Benton spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in Marion.