City Report · AR

Hot Springs

Pop. 16,327·20th most expensive in Arkansas·Hot Springs rents are up 13.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,285/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.0%
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$677
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hot Springs · $1,285
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
36/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% above what Hot Springs's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,285/mo
Expected by trend
$1,204/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hot Springs's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$775
2 BR
$1,000
3 BR
$1,265
4 BR+
$1,570
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,000/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,285 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,420/yr
At $1,285/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hot Springs, AR is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 34.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
16,327
Median income
$47,760
Median age
69.6
Renters
12.4%
Age distribution
12.2%
13.8%
60.3%
Under 185.7%
18–348.1%
35–5412.2%
55–6413.8%
65+60.3%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
92.9%
White92.9%
Black1.4%
Hispanic1.8%
Other3.6%
Education (25+)
21.8%
41.3%
34.7%
No HS diploma2.2%
HS diploma21.8%
Some college41.3%
Bachelor's+34.7%
Housing tenure
87.6%
12.4%
Owner87.6%
Renter12.4%

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

2022 vs 2026

How Hot Springs, AR has changed in 5 years

Rent
$880 → $1,285
up 46.0%
Income
$42,718 → $47,760
up 11.8%
Population
38,050 → 16,327
down 57.1%
Renter share
44.5% → 12.4%
-32.1 pts
Bachelor's+
22.7% → 34.7%
+12.0 pts
Median age
43.2 → 69.6
+26.4 yrs

Compared with 2022, rent in Hot Springs, AR has increased by $405 per month, settling near $1,285 after starting the period at $880. On the earnings side, the typical household in Hot Springs, AR now reports about $47,760, up from $42,718 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 34.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 38,050 to 16,327 between 2021 and 2024, a 57.1% change. About 12.4% of households rent today, against 44.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.7% to 34.7%. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Hot Springs, AR reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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View Hot Springs rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hot Springs on your salary?

At $1,285/mo, how Hot Springs rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hot Springs rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hot Springs

About renting in Hot Springs, AR

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hot Springs is $1,285/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,000/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $775/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,265/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($47,760/yr), Hot Springs ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hot Springs an affordable city for renters?

Hot Springs is considered moderate for renters. At $1,285/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($47,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hot Springs slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hot Springs?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,285/mo in Hot Springs. The local median household income is $47,760/yr, meaning the typical Hot Springs household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hot Springs?

Rent in Hot Springs has increased 13.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hot Springs neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hot Springs are 71901 ($1,041/mo), and 71913 ($1,344/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hot Springs is $1,285/mo.

How does Hot Springs rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Hot Springs is middle-of-the-pack for Arkansas for rent, ranking #20 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,285/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hot Springs?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hot Springs ($1,285/mo): Morrilton ($888/mo), Little Rock ($1,230/mo).

What percentage of Hot Springs residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 12.4% of Hot Springs households are renters, while 87.6% are owner-occupied. Hot Springs leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hot Springs rent compare to the national average?

Hot Springs's median rent of $1,285/mo is $677 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #20 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,285/mo, rent takes ~32% of Hot Springs's median household income ($47,760/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hot Springs 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Hot Springs affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hot Springs
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Hot Springs, AR

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