Bull Shoals, AR vs Madison, AR

Bull Shoals, AR and Madison, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Bull Shoals scores 64 while Madison scores 61 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 Bull Shoals is $670/month compared to $845/month in Madison — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bull Shoals has cheaper rent, Madison actually has lower median home values ($57,200 vs $157,200).

Median household income in Bull Shoals is $46,848 compared to $60,809 in Madison (-23%). Madison offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bull Shoals spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Madison.