| Index | Forrest City | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 85 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 49 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 92 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Forrest City allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Forrest City stands at 85, marking it 15% lower than the national average.
Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, Forrest City distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 51.4% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Forrest City can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.
Is Forrest City 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 Forrest City, the median home price is 62% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 26.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Forrest City come in at $50,238, which is 38.2% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Forrest City, healthcare costs are 3.8% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Forrest City, the housing index is 51.4% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Forrest City starts at 6.5% and the income tax rates start at 2%.
The cost of living data for Forrest City shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $73,412 | $6,118 | $1,713 | $2,203 |
| Renters | $42,051 | $3,504 | $981 | $1,262 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 11.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arkansas | 2% | 4.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Colt, AR | 334 | 78 | 21.7% |
| Haynes, AR | 122 | 75 | 25.4% |
| Widener, AR | 229 | 79 | 21.2% |
| Madison, AR | 1,083 | 80 | 19.9% |
| Palestine, AR | 866 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Forrest City, AR | 14,474 | 85 | 15.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Artondale, WA | 14,469 | 149 | 48.9% |
| Williamstown, NJ | 14,480 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Lewisville, NC | 14,467 | 103 | 2.9% |
| Sun Village, CA | 14,465 | 122 | 22.1% |
| Vail, AZ | 14,464 | 117 | 16.5% |
| Forrest City, AR | 14,474 | 85 | 15.3% |
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