Paragould, AR vs Van Buren, AR

Paragould, AR and Van Buren, AR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Paragould scores 71 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 Paragould is $883/month compared to $820/month in Van Buren — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Van Buren has cheaper rent, Paragould actually has lower median home values ($175,400 vs $178,000).

Median household income in Paragould is $56,181 compared to $59,420 in Van Buren (-5.5%). 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 Paragould spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Van Buren.