Melbourne, AR vs Rockport, AR

Melbourne, AR and Rockport, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Melbourne scores 66 while Rockport scores 66 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 Melbourne is $620/month compared to $777/month in Rockport — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Melbourne has cheaper rent, Rockport actually has lower median home values ($145,600 vs $203,000).

Median household income in Melbourne is $34,303 compared to $68,681 in Rockport (-50.1%). Rockport offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Melbourne spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Rockport.