Rents are right about where Bella Vista's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,939 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Bella Vista is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2022.
Rent in Bella Vista changed +4.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 24 Arkansas cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.7%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($88,055) is $2,201 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,040).
Centerton, 7 miles away, rents for 19% less ($1,565/mo), about $4,500 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Bella Vista. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Bella Vista, AR is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Bella Vista, AR has changed in 5 years
Since 2023, the typical rent in Bella Vista, AR has climbed from $1,686 to $1,939, a 15.0% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $74,972 to $88,055 across the same window, up 17.5% versus 2021. The population has grown by 6.3% since 2021, moving from about 29,818 residents to roughly 31,697. College-educated residents now make up 41.8% of adults here, versus 36.2% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Bella Vista, AR look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Bella Vista
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Can you afford rent in Bella Vista on your salary?
At $1,939/mo, how Bella Vista rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Bella Vista rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Bella Vista. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Bella Vista
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Bella Vista is $1,939/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $965/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,260/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,045/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,765/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($88,055/yr), Bella Vista ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Bella Vista?
Is rent going up or down in Bella Vista?
Which Bella Vista neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Bella Vista rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bella Vista?
At $1,939/mo, rent takes ~26% of Bella Vista's median household income ($88,055/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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