City Report · AR

Searcy

Pop. 23,340·32nd most expensive in Arkansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,025/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.2%
Month-over-Month
-8.9%
vs US Median
-$937
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Searcy rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Searcy · $1,025
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
24% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,025/mo, rent takes about 24% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$41,000/yr
Local median income
$52,170/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Searcy's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$650
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$910
3 BR
$1,180
4 BR+
$1,250
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$910/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,025 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$12,300/yr
At $1,025/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 4.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.2% YoY, -8.9% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Searcy, AR is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 29.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,340
Median income
$52,170
Median age
32.4
Renters
46.4%
Age distribution
20.8%
33.5%
17.9%
16.9%
Under 1820.8%
18–3433.5%
35–5417.9%
55–6410.9%
65+16.9%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
81%
White81%
Black11.1%
Hispanic5.7%
Asian1.2%
Other1%
Education (25+)
34.7%
26.6%
29.6%
No HS diploma9.1%
HS diploma34.7%
Some college26.6%
Bachelor's+29.6%
Housing tenure
53.6%
46.4%
Owner53.6%
Renter46.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Searcy, AR has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,753 → $52,170
up 24.9%
Population
23,074 → 23,340
up 1.2%
Renter share
47.9% → 46.4%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
30.8% → 29.6%
-1.2 pts
Median age
30.4 → 32.4
+2.0 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $41,753 in 2021 to $52,170 more recently. The population has grown by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 23,074 residents to roughly 23,340. Renters now make up 46.4% of households, compared with 47.9% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Searcy

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Searcy on your salary?

At $1,025/mo, how Searcy rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Searcy rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Searcy

About renting in Searcy, AR

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Searcy is $1,025/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $650/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $910/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,180/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($52,170/yr), Searcy ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Searcy an affordable city for renters?

Searcy is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,025/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($52,170/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Searcy falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Searcy?

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 $1,025/mo in Searcy. The local median household income is $52,170/yr, meaning the typical Searcy household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Searcy?

Rent in Searcy has increased 4.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Searcy rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Searcy is one of the more affordable cities in Arkansas for rent, ranking #32 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,025/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Searcy?

Batesville is nearby and more affordable at $863/mo, which is $162 less than Searcy.

What percentage of Searcy residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.4% of Searcy households are renters, while 53.6% are owner-occupied. Searcy leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Searcy rent compare to the national average?

Searcy's median rent of $1,025/mo is $937 (48%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #32 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,025/mo, rent takes ~24% of Searcy's median household income ($52,170/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Searcy 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Searcy affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Searcy
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Searcy, AR

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Searcy.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google