Malvern, AR vs Mena, AR

Malvern, AR and Mena, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Malvern scores 61 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 Malvern is $760/month compared to $720/month in Mena — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mena has cheaper rent, Malvern actually has lower median home values ($95,500 vs $114,200).

Median household income in Malvern is $40,602 compared to $50,875 in Mena (-20.2%). While Mena is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Malvern spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 17% in Mena.