B+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
29%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bentonville Arkansas National
Cost of living10786100
Goods & Services10298100
Groceries9295100
Health care10188100
Housing12965100
Transportation9690100
Utilities9492100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bentonville, AR

Understanding the cost of living in Bentonville can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Bentonville cost of living index is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Bentonville aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Bentonville residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Bentonville cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 28.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bentonville?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Bentonville. The feedback revealed that 60% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 40% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Bentonville Affordable?

Is Bentonville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Bentonville, the median home price is 39.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.1% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Bentonville come in at $84,340, which is 52.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bentonville?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Bentonville, the healthcare costs are 1% higher than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Bentonville, the transportation index is 4.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Bentonville cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bentonville is 25% higher than the Arkansas average
  • The cost of living in Bentonville is 7% higher than the national average
  • Bentonville housing is 29% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bentonville

See all the best places to live around Bentonville

Compare Bentonville, AR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$119,788$9,982$2,795$3,594
      Renters$63,795$5,316$1,488$1,914
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Bentonville, AR, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Bentonville, the median monthly income is $119,788 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,795 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $63,795, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,488 on monthly rental expenses.

      Arkansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arkansas 6.5% 11.625%

      Arkansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arkansas 2% 5.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.65$24.2610.8%
      Beauty Salon $45.00$45.561.2%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.08$1.2815.5%
      Movie $11.50$12.135.2%
      Bowling $14.71$18.0018.3%

      Groceries

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.81$5.840.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.8%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.22$4.935.9%
      Pizza $10.10$12.0916.4%
      Beer $10.21$10.412.0%

      Health Care

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $99.78$125.6820.6%
      Doctor $108.55$135.7820.1%
      Dentist $83.89$113.2926.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.16$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $454.89$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $258,300.00$184,700.0039.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,863.97$2,346.6920.6%
      Apartment Rent $978.00$949.003.1%

      Transportation

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.01$3.4613.0%
      Tire Balancing $52.21$59.9212.9%

      Utilities

      Item Bentonville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $150.82$193.9922.3%
      Phone $203.29$192.255.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Springtown, AR136982.1%
      Noel, MO2,0518218.4%
      Decatur, AR1,5368514.7%
      Pineville, MO9178317.3%
      Gravette, AR3,456909.5%
      Bentonville, AR52,0701077.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Placentia, CA52,04916969.3%
      Oak Park, IL52,10213030.1%
      Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON52,025n/a 
      Queen Creek, AZ52,16213434.3%
      Mascouche, QC52,212n/a 
      Bentonville, AR52,0701077.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.