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City Report · AR

Barling

Pop. 5,007·30th most expensive in Arkansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,026/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.1%
vs US Median
-$939
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Barling · $1,026
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,026/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$41,000/yr
Local median income
$54,387/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Barling's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,560
4 BR+
$1,890
Research median
$1,150/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$12,312/yr
At $1,026/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Barling, AR is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,007
Median income
$54,387
Median age
42.5
Renters
27.6%
Age distribution
18.3%
23.1%
27.1%
19.8%
Under 1818.3%
18–3423.1%
35–5427.1%
55–6411.7%
65+19.8%
Gender
43%
57%
Male43%
Female57%
Race & ethnicity
74.3%
13.3%
White74.3%
Black2.2%
Hispanic13.3%
Asian8.5%
Other1.7%
Education (25+)
41.4%
25.8%
21.1%
No HS diploma11.7%
HS diploma41.4%
Some college25.8%
Bachelor's+21.1%
Housing tenure
72.4%
27.6%
Owner72.4%
Renter27.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Barling, AR has changed in 5 years

Income
$35,568 → $54,387
up 52.9%
Population
4,802 → 5,007
up 4.3%
Renter share
35.5% → 27.6%
-7.9 pts
Bachelor's+
29.8% → 21.1%
-8.7 pts
Median age
33.6 → 42.5
+8.9 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $35,568 to $54,387 across the same window, up 52.9% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 4,802 to 5,007 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.3% change. About 27.6% of households rent today, against 35.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 29.8% to 21.1%.

Community

Discussions about Barling

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View Barling rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Barling on your salary?

At $1,026/mo, how Barling rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Barling rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Barling. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Barling

About renting in Barling, AR

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Barling is $1,026/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,560/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($54,387/yr), Barling ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Barling an affordable city for renters?

Barling is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,026/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($54,387/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Barling falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Barling?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $41,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,026/mo in Barling. The local median household income is $54,387/yr, meaning the typical Barling household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Barling?

Rent in Barling has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Barling rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Barling is one of the more affordable cities in Arkansas for rent, ranking #30 out of 34 tracked cities at $1,026/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Barling?

Van Buren is nearby and more affordable at $1,019/mo, which is $7 less than Barling.

What percentage of Barling residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.6% of Barling households are renters, while 72.4% are owner-occupied. Barling leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Barling rent compare to the national average?

Barling's median rent of $1,026/mo is $939 (48%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #30 out of 34 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,026/mo, rent takes ~23% of Barling's median household income ($54,387/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Barling 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Barling affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Barling, AR

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