Hot Springs, AR vs Van Buren, AR

Hot Springs, AR and Van Buren, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Hot Springs scores 70 while Van Buren scores 69 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 Hot Springs is $902/month compared to $820/month in Van Buren — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Van Buren has cheaper rent, Hot Springs actually has lower median home values ($156,900 vs $178,000).

Median household income in Hot Springs is $46,441 compared to $59,420 in Van Buren (-21.8%). Van Buren offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hot Springs spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Van Buren.