Fairfield Bay, AR vs Ward, AR

Fairfield Bay is moderately more affordable than Ward, with a 12.6% lower cost of living index. Fairfield Bay scores 71 compared to 81 for Ward, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ward can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield Bay is $888/month compared to $1,147/month in Ward — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfield Bay is more affordable at $157,300 median vs $182,100.

Median household income in Fairfield Bay is $54,735 compared to $78,841 in Ward (-30.6%). While Ward is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield Bay spend roughly 19.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17.5% in Ward.