City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Little Rock
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Little Rock
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
58% higher than Little Rock's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Little Rock | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,200 | +58% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,120 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bella Vista delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bella Vista is estimated at
$58,000 vs $48,000 in Little Rock.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $57,980 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 65,146 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $63,003 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 65.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 92.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 35.10°F |
| Rainfall | in | 46.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 10.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Little Rock has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Bella Vista.
Little Rock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Little Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Bella Vista.
From a growth perspective, Bella Vista is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bella Vista has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 206,427 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.41% |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bella Vista
Advantages
Median household income of $88,055 significantly outperforms the state average and matches strong regional economic indicators per U.S. Census data.
Extensive world-class mountain biking networks, including the Back 40 trails, situated directly within municipal boundaries.
Crime rates are substantially lower than the national average, ensuring a very high level of community safety.
Proximity to the booming Northwest Arkansas economic corridor provides high-paying career and corporate opportunities within a short drive.
Abundant natural amenities, including seven lakes and numerous POA-managed golf courses and recreational facilities.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to the sprawling, hilly geographic layout of the 45-square-mile municipality.
Limited public transportation infrastructure within city limits requiring personal vehicle reliance for daily tasks.
Rapid housing appreciation and regional demand have constrained affordable rental and starter home inventories.
Higher median age relative to surrounding tech hubs can result in fewer late-night entertainment and urban nightlife options locally.
Mandatory Property Owners Association (POA) dues apply to many properties, adding recurring annual costs for homeowners.
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bella Vista
#16Arkansas, USA
73.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
82
Business
70
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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