City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Paragould
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Paragould
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paragould is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
100% higher than Paragould's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Paragould | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $950 | +100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $1,950 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 74 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 75% 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 $66,000 in Paragould.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $41,176 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 55,643 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $56,980 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Paragould has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bella Vista.
Bella Vista scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bella Vista leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bella Vista is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Paragould.
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 | Paragould |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 31,135 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.40% |
| 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.
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
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
Paragould
#240Arkansas, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
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