City Comparison
Bella Vista vs West Memphis
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bella Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bella Vista
West Memphis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Memphis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Bella Vista.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bella Vista's average rent is
58% higher than West Memphis's.
| Metric | Bella Vista | West Memphis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,200 | +58% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,075 | +37% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bella Vista offers 60% 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 West Memphis.
| Metric | Bella Vista | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 53,571 idx |
| Household Income | $88,055 | $42,674 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bella Vista | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 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
West Memphis has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Bella Vista.
For walkability, West Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bella Vista | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bella Vista is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of West Memphis.
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 | West Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,518 | 23,929 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | — |
| Median Age | 51.3 | 34.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 5.90% |
| 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.
West Memphis
Advantages
Median property value is highly affordable at around $120,100 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic geographic logistics hub offering rapid access to major interstates 40 and 55.
Short average commute times of approximately 20 minutes for local workers.
Close proximity to the cultural and entertainment amenities of metropolitan Memphis, Tennessee.
Active local educational and workforce training presence through Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Drawbacks
Median household income trails the national average, standing at roughly $42,674 per Census reports.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with approximately 29.1% of individuals living below the poverty line.
Property crime rates and overall public safety statistics present ongoing challenges for residents.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high dependency on personal vehicles.
Local health indicators reflect higher-than-average rates of chronic health challenges.
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
West Memphis
#503Arkansas, USA
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
61
Business
65
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