City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Pine Bluff
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Pine Bluff
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
45% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
161% higher than Pine Bluff's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Pine Bluff | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $728 | +161% |
| Groceries | $400 | $340 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $210 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $1,553 | +83% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 62% 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 $38,000 in Pine Bluff.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $44,500 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 57,051 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $42,718 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pine Bluff comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 65.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 36.30°F |
| Rainfall | in | 48.40 in |
| Snowfall | in | 8.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Pine Bluff has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pine Bluff is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x 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 | Pine Bluff |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 38,213 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | — |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 7.00% |
| 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.
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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