City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Springdale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Springdale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springdale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
63% higher than Springdale's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Springdale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,169 | +63% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,089 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 18% 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 Springdale.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $61,200 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 66,522 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $69,787 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springdale runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springdale comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springdale sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 60.00°F |
| Summer High | °F | 85.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 29.70°F |
| Rainfall | in | 43.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springdale has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Bella Vista.
Springdale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springdale leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springdale is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x 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, Springdale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Springdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 90,685 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 1.15% |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.40% |
| 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.
Springdale
Advantages
Median household income stands at $69,787, providing solid earning potential relative to the local cost of living.
Average monthly rent for apartments is approximately $1,169, remaining well below the national average.
Proximity to major corporate headquarters like Tyson Foods drives robust local employment and career stability.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including direct connectivity to the Razorback Regional Greenway trail system.
A vibrant, multicultural community offering diverse dining, cultural events, and a young median age of 32.3 years.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside the downtown core.
Competitive local real estate market driven by rapid population growth across the Northwest Arkansas region.
Poverty rate stands at approximately 13.4%, highlighting economic disparities within certain sectors.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along primary regional corridors like Interstate 49.
Summer humidity can be intense, matching typical regional Ozark climate patterns.
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
Springdale
#106Arkansas, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,169
Avg Salary
$61,200
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
73
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