City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Russellville
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Russellville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
138% higher than Russellville's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Russellville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $800 | +138% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $210 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $1,665 | +71% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 50% 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 $42,000 in Russellville.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $47,991 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 58,526 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $50,877 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Russellville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Bella Vista.
Russellville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Russellville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bella Vista is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Russellville.
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 | Russellville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 29,521 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 30.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Russellville
Advantages
Average rent and overall cost of living are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and federal data.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, sitting directly adjacent to Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.
Strong institutional anchor and cultural vitality provided by Arkansas Tech University.
Stable industrial and energy employment base anchored by major operations like Arkansas Nuclear One and Tyson Foods.
Short average commute times and easy access via Interstate 40.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate sits higher than the national average, standing at approximately 20.8% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure for non-drivers.
Median household income trails both state and national averages.
Vulnerability to severe weather events typical of the Arkansas River Valley region.
Limited high-end entertainment and luxury retail 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
Russellville
#250Arkansas, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$47,991
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
67
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