A
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
2%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Bella Vista Arkansas National
Cost of living9986100
Goods & Services10397100
Groceries9494100
Health care9187100
Housing9867100
Transportation9390100
Utilities10194100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Bella Vista, AR

Understanding the cost of living in Bella Vista 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 Bella Vista cost of living index is 99, which is 1% lower 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 Bella Vista is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Bella Vista?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Bella Vista. The results indicated that 60% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 40% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Bella Vista Affordable?

Is Bella Vista an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bella Vista is 3.6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 1.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bella Vista has a median household income of $107,486, which is 32.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bella Vista?

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Bella Vista, the groceries index registers 6.3% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Bella Vista, the transportation index is 7.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Bella Vista, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bella Vista is 14% higher than the Arkansas average
  • The cost of living in Bella Vista is 1% lower than the national average
  • Bella Vista housing is 2% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bella Vista

See all the best places to live around Bella Vista

Compare Bella Vista, AR Cost of Living

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      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$112,883$9,407$2,634$3,387
      Renters$75,639$6,303$1,765$2,269
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Bella Vista, AR, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Bella Vista have a median income of $112,883. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,634 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $75,639, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,765.

      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% 4.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.72$27.6211.2%
      Beauty Salon $51.25$51.110.3%
      Toothpaste $4.05$4.091.0%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.5415.7%
      Movie $12.42$12.883.6%
      Yoga $24.01$19.6622.1%

      Groceries

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.61$7.701.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.55$4.733.9%
      Potatoes $5.64$5.267.3%
      Pizza $11.07$12.7613.3%
      Beer $9.97$10.555.5%

      Health Care

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $160.28$140.0614.4%
      Doctor $144.53$153.826.0%
      Dentist $95.97$123.1522.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.35$11.733.3%
      Lipitor $22.50$23.614.7%

      Housing

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      Home Price $314,940.00$326,622.003.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,467.11$2,480.250.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,466.00$1,444.001.5%

      Transportation

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.78$3.069.0%
      Tire Balancing $63.00$65.213.4%

      Utilities

      Item Bella Vista National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $214.53$220.122.5%
      Phone $209.33$195.717.0%
      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, AR140991.2%
      Ginger Blue, MO1267227.7%
      Lanagan, MO4747623.8%
      Noel, MO2,1218217.8%
      Decatur, AR1,5848614.3%
      Bella Vista, AR29,519991.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Forest Hills, MI29,53412322.5%
      Jacksonville, AR29,495927.5%
      Lake in the Hills, IL29,4851099.3%
      New Iberia, LA29,5608911.1%
      Mehlville, MO29,470927.6%
      Bella Vista, AR29,519991.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.