City Report · AR

Bella Vista

Pop. 31,697·1st most expensive in Arkansas·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,799/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.1%
Month-over-Month
-1.3%
vs US Median
-$166
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bella Vista · $1,799
More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
60/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Bella Vista's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,799/mo
Expected by trend
$1,897/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bella Vista's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$965
1 BR
$1,045
2 BR
$1,260
3 BR
$1,765
4 BR+
$2,040
Research median
$1,260/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
$21,588/yr
At $1,799/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.1% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
31,697
Median income
$88,055
Median age
51.3
Renters
12%
Age distribution
17.6%
12.7%
24.9%
13.2%
31.6%
Under 1817.6%
18–3412.7%
35–5424.9%
55–6413.2%
65+31.6%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
83.6%
White83.6%
Hispanic7.1%
Asian0.9%
Other8.2%
Education (25+)
23.9%
30.2%
41.8%
No HS diploma4%
HS diploma23.9%
Some college30.2%
Bachelor's+41.8%
Housing tenure
88%
Owner88%
Renter12%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Bella Vista, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,636 → $1,799
up 10.0%
Income
$74,972 → $88,055
up 17.5%
Population
29,818 → 31,697
up 6.3%
Renter share
12.3% → 12%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
36.2% → 41.8%
+5.6 pts

Since 2023, the typical rent in Bella Vista, AR has climbed from $1,636 to $1,799, a 10.0% 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. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. 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.

Community

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View Bella Vista rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bella Vista on your salary?

At $1,799/mo, how Bella Vista rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bella Vista rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bella Vista

About renting in Bella Vista, AR

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bella Vista is $1,799/mo as of July 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 25% of local median household income ($88,055/yr), Bella Vista ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bella Vista an affordable city for renters?

Bella Vista is considered affordable for renters. At $1,799/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($88,055/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bella Vista falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bella Vista?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,799/mo in Bella Vista. The local median household income is $88,055/yr, meaning the typical Bella Vista household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bella Vista?

Rent in Bella Vista has decreased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Bella Vista neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bella Vista are 72715 ($1,797/mo), and 72714 ($1,984/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bella Vista is $1,799/mo.

How does Bella Vista rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Bella Vista is one of the pricier cities in Arkansas for rent, ranking #1 out of 34 tracked cities at $1,799/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bella Vista?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bella Vista ($1,799/mo): Rogers ($1,473/mo), Pea Ridge ($1,578/mo), Centerton ($1,585/mo).

What percentage of Bella Vista residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12% of Bella Vista households are renters, while 88% are owner-occupied. Bella Vista leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bella Vista rent compare to the national average?

Bella Vista's median rent of $1,799/mo is $166 (8%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #1 out of 34 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,799/mo, rent takes ~25% of Bella Vista's median household income ($88,055/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bella Vista 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Bella Vista affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bella Vista
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bella Vista, AR

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