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City Report · AR

Ward

Pop. 6,573·27th most expensive in Arkansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,131/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-9.9%
vs US Median
-$831
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ward · $1,131
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,131/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$45,000/yr
Local median income
$72,734/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ward's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$880
1 BR
$890
2 BR
$1,030
3 BR
$1,370
4 BR+
$1,620
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,131 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
$13,572/yr
At $1,131/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -9.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ward, AR is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 22.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,573
Median income
$72,734
Median age
30.2
Renters
31%
Age distribution
28.9%
32.3%
21.3%
Under 1828.9%
18–3432.3%
35–5421.3%
55–649.8%
65+7.8%
Gender
54.8%
45.2%
Male54.8%
Female45.2%
Race & ethnicity
87.1%
White87.1%
Black3.1%
Hispanic10.1%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
26.7%
39.9%
22.1%
No HS diploma11.3%
HS diploma26.7%
Some college39.9%
Bachelor's+22.1%
Housing tenure
69%
31%
Owner69%
Renter31%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Ward, AR has changed in 5 years

Income
$62,231 → $72,734
up 16.9%
Population
5,943 → 6,573
up 10.6%
Renter share
38.1% → 31%
-7.1 pts
Bachelor's+
18.7% → 22.1%
+3.4 pts
Median age
27.2 → 30.2
+3.0 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Ward, AR now reports about $72,734, up from $62,231 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 5,943 to 6,573 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.6% change. About 31% of households rent today, against 38.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 18.7% to 22.1%.

Community

Discussions about Ward

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

Can you afford rent in Ward on your salary?

At $1,131/mo, how Ward rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ward rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ward

About renting in Ward, AR

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Ward is $1,131/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $890/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,370/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($72,734/yr), Ward ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ward an affordable city for renters?

Ward is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,131/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($72,734/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ward falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Ward?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $45,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,131/mo in Ward. The local median household income is $72,734/yr, meaning the typical Ward household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ward?

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

How does Ward rent compare to other cities in Arkansas?

Ward is one of the more affordable cities in Arkansas for rent, ranking #27 out of 36 tracked cities at $1,131/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ward?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ward ($1,131/mo): Searcy ($1,025/mo), Austin ($1,123/mo).

What percentage of Ward residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31% of Ward households are renters, while 69% are owner-occupied. Ward leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ward rent compare to the national average?

Ward's median rent of $1,131/mo is $831 (42%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arkansas, it ranks #27 out of 36 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,131/mo, rent takes ~19% of Ward's median household income ($72,734/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ward 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.9%
Run the Ward affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ward, AR

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