| Index | Mountain Home | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 93 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 73 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 92 | 100 |

The cost of living in Mountain Home affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Mountain Home is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Mountain Home. The feedback revealed that 14% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 86% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Mountain Home is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Mountain Home, for example, the median home price is 27.8% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 24.7% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Mountain Home boasting a median household income of $59,716, which is 26.6% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Mountain Home, healthcare costs are 6.9% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Mountain Home, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.5%, and income tax rates start at 2%.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Mountain Home comes in at 5.1% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Mountain Home are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $72,232 | $6,019 | $1,685 | $2,167 |
| Renters | $44,444 | $3,704 | $1,037 | $1,333 |
| 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. |
| Bakersfield, MO | 294 | 81 | 18.7% |
| Calico Rock, AR | 2,428 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Flippin, AR | 1,290 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Midway town, AR | 394 | 83 | 17.3% |
| Salesville, AR | 312 | 84 | 16.4% |
| Mountain Home, AR | 12,739 | 89 | 11.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Blue Ash, OH | 12,738 | 112 | 12.2% |
| Goldenrod, FL | 12,742 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Newington Forest, VA | 12,735 | 143 | 42.8% |
| Fort Atkinson, WI | 12,734 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Viera East, FL | 12,733 | 118 | 18.1% |
| Mountain Home, AR | 12,739 | 89 | 11.3% |