Bella Vista 66 Good
Bella Vista Livability #129 ranked city in Arkansas#12,031 ranked city in the USARanks better than 58% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bella Vista

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

What's it like Living in Bella Vista?

Bella Vista is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Arkansas. The city has a population of 29,519 inhabitants. At 92%, the majority of the Bella Vista population is White; this is followed by 1% Black and 1% Asian. Bella Vista is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 51, which is well beyond the United States median age average. Bella Vista is known to be family friendly as more than 74% of the population has already tied the knot. It might also be worth noting that 30% of residents also have children under the age of 18. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Bella Vista is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 26 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Bella Vista, Arkansas could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bella Vista, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, education, housing and more.

Bella Vista, AR receives 65 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #121 in Arkansas and #11,874 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Bella Vista has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A), cost of living (A-), education (A), employment (A) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Bella Vista does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

The unemployment rate in Bella Vista has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.1%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Bella Vista have an average test score of 77%, which is well above the US average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Bella Vista excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Bella Vista is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Bella Vista come in at $314,940, which is 50.7% higher than the Arkansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bella Vista, the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 12.1% lower than the Arkansas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bella Vista

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      Bella Vista transportation information

      Statistic Bella Vista Arkansas National
      Average one way commute26min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.8%82.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.1%10.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.4%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.3%1.7%2.8%
      Working from home8.0%3.2%4.6%
      Source: The Bella Vista, AR data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.