Forrest City, AR vs Mena, AR

Forrest City, AR and Mena, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Forrest City scores 62 while Mena scores 62 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 Forrest City is $795/month compared to $720/month in Mena — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mena has cheaper rent, Forrest City actually has lower median home values ($87,800 vs $114,200).

Median household income in Forrest City is $33,522 compared to $50,875 in Mena (-34.1%). Mena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Forrest City spend roughly 28.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Mena.