City Comparison
Bella Vista vs Texarkana
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
Texarkana
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Texarkana 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
111% higher than Texarkana's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Texarkana | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $899 | +111% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $290 | -38% |
| Transport | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $207 | +16% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,246 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 64% 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 $29,592 in Texarkana.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $43,800 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $29,592 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 49,213 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $45,835 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Texarkana runs warmer on average — a 67.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Texarkana sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bella Vista | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 67.30°F |
| Summer High | °F | 93.60°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 38.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 43.70 in |
| Snowfall | in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bella Vista is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Texarkana.
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 | Texarkana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 29,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | — |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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
Texarkana
#459Arkansas, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
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