Van Buren, AR Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Van Buren, AR Summary

Cost of living in Van Buren research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Van Buren is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Arkansas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Van Buren is 91, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Van Buren is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Van Buren ranks as the #39 cheapest in Arkansas out of 69.

  • Van Buren ranks as the #1,347 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Van Buren is $199,071.

  • The median income in Van Buren is $59,420.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
91
Van Buren's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Van Buren, AR?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Van Buren has an overall cost of living index of 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Arkansas, Van Buren has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Arkansas's index of 85.

The standard of living in Van Buren ranks as #39 most affordable out of the 69 places we measured in Arkansas. By definition, that implies Van Buren ranks as the #30 most expensive place in the Natural State.

For more reading on life in Van Buren, check out:

39 out of 69
In Arkansas
1,347 out of 6,489
In America

Van Buren Cost Of Living Vs. Arkansas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Van Buren. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Van Buren is 101.

  • The Groceries index in Van Buren is 93.

  • The Health index in Van Buren is 101.

  • The Housing index in Van Buren is 70.

  • The Transportation index in Van Buren is 95.

  • The Utilities index in Van Buren is 95.

Living Expense Van Buren Arkansas National Average
Overall 91 85 100
Services 101 99 100
Groceries 93 95 100
Health 101 89 100
Housing 70 65 100
Transportation 95 90 100
Utilities 95 93 100
For more reading on cost of living around Arkansas, check out:
Van Buren Cost of Living Vs. AR

Van Buren, AR Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Arkansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Van Buren is $199,071.

  • The Median Rent in Van Buren is $820.

  • The Median Income in Van Buren is $59,420.

  • The Home Value To Income in Van Buren is 3.4x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Van Buren is 0.17x.

Statistic Van Buren Arkansas United States
Median Home Value $199,071 $218,895 $303,400
Median Rent $820 $914 $1,348
Median Income $59,420 $58,773 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.4x 3.7x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.17x 0.19x 0.21x
$199,071
Median Home Value
$820
Median Rent
$59,420
Median Income

Van Buren, AR Costs By Category

Detailed Van Buren Services Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Van Buren Arkansas
Shampoo $1.08 $1.28
Movie $11.5 $12.13
Bowling $14.71 $18
Haircut $21.65 $24.26
Beauty Salon $45.0 $45.56

Detailed Van Buren Groceries Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Van Buren Arkansas
Ground Beef $5.81 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.39 $1.57
Milk $4.52 $4.67
Potatoes $5.22 $4.93
Pizza $10.1 $12.09
Beer $10.21 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.68 $3.7

Detailed Van Buren Health Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Van Buren Arkansas
Optometrist $99.78 $125.68
Doctor $108.55 $135.78
Dentist $83.89 $113.29

Detailed Van Buren Transportation Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Van Buren Arkansas
Gasoline $3.01 $3.46
Tire Balancing $52.21 $59.92

Detailed Van Buren Utilities Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Van Buren Arkansas
All Electricity $150.82 $193.99
Phone $203.29 $192.25

Van Buren SnackAbility

4
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
5
Affordability
8
Diversity
8
Safety
4
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Van Buren

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Van Buren. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Fayetteville, AR has a cost of living index of 104, 1.1x Van Buren.

  • Fort Smith, AR has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Van Buren.

  • Tahlequah, OK has a cost of living index of 85, 0.9x Van Buren.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Van Buren
Fayetteville, AR 97,227 104 1.1x
Fort Smith, AR 89,496 89 1.0x
Tahlequah, OK 16,513 85 0.9x
Greenwood, AR 9,570 92 1.0x
Clarksville, AR 9,500 90 1.0x
Poteau, OK 8,903 84 0.9x
Sallisaw, OK 8,553 83 0.9x
Farmington, AR 8,469 101 1.1x
Alma, AR 5,879 91 1.0x

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