North Little Rock, AR vs Van Buren, AR

Van Buren is moderately more affordable than North Little Rock, with a 10.2% lower cost of living index. North Little Rock scores 76 compared to 69 for Van Buren, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of North Little Rock can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in North Little Rock is $1,028/month compared to $820/month in Van Buren — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Van Buren has cheaper rent, North Little Rock actually has lower median home values ($169,500 vs $178,000).

Median household income in North Little Rock is $51,236 compared to $59,420 in Van Buren (-13.8%). 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 North Little Rock spend roughly 24.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Van Buren.