Jacksonville, AR vs Malvern, AR

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Malvern is 17.6% cheaper than Jacksonville. With a cost index of 61 vs 72, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Malvern to Jacksonville should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Jacksonville is $913/month compared to $760/month in Malvern — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Malvern is more affordable at $95,500 median vs $155,300.

Median household income in Jacksonville is $46,947 compared to $40,602 in Malvern (+15.6%). The higher salaries in Jacksonville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Jacksonville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 22.5% in Malvern.