City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Sherwood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Sherwood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sherwood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
41% higher than Sherwood's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Sherwood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,345 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $213 | -15% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,248 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 55% 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 $55,000 in Sherwood.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $46,462 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 49,959 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $81,328 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sherwood runs warmer on average — a 64.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sherwood comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sherwood sees 9.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 64.80°F |
| Summer High | °F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 34.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 48.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sherwood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bella Vista is the larger city
.
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 | Sherwood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 33,777 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.47% |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 39.9 |
| 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.
Sherwood
Advantages
The cost of living in Sherwood is 7% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Sherwood boasts a strong job market with employment growing at a rate of 5.52% from 2023 to 2024.
The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and family fun.
Public schools in Sherwood are rated above average, contributing to a family-friendly environment.
The homeownership rate in Sherwood is 70.8%, higher than the national average, indicating a stable community.
Drawbacks
Sherwood's overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a safety grade of D.
The city is largely car-dependent, with minimal public transportation options and low walkability scores.
Residents note a limited selection of nightlife and diverse entertainment options within Sherwood itself.
Violent crime rates in Sherwood are 77% higher than the national average.
While growing, the city's economic base is still developing, with a focus on a few key industries.
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
Sherwood
#408Arkansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$46,462
Cost Index
93
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/100
Walkability
20.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
64.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bella Vista and Sherwood.
Open Cost Calculator