Bella Vista, AR vs Independence, KY: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Independence, KY has a modeled overall cost index 0.6% lower than Bella Vista, AR.

Bella Vista, AR · modeled 2BR rent: $1,560 / month
Independence, KY · modeled 2BR rent: $1,550 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Bella Vista, AR and Independence, KY using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

Current salary in Bella Vista, AR

Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated savings: $77.32/month in Independence, KY

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $149,072 in Independence, KY

Regional cost estimates: Bella Vista, AR uses Tulsa, OK. Independence, KY uses Cincinnati, OH. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.

Overall Cost

↓ 0.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$77.32

Savings

Annual Impact

$928

Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Bella Vista, AR

Population:32K

Cost Index:

85.0

100 = national average

Typical Home:$349K

Independence, KY

Population:30K

Cost Index:

84.5

100 = national average

Typical Home:$322K

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Bella Vista, AR

The Natural State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Arkansas, this city has a population of 32K residents.

Independence, KY

The Bluegrass State

30K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 30K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Bella Vista, AR vs Independence, KY

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Category	Bella Vista, AR	Independence, KY	Difference	Change
Other	$1,911/mo	$1,782/mo	↓ $129less	6.7%
Housing	$1,949/mo	$2,075/mo	↑ $126more	6.5%
Transportation	$1,419/mo	$1,348/mo	↓ $70.92less	5.0%
Healthcare	$608/mo	$642/mo	↑ $33.55more	5.5%
All Utilities	$562/mo	$529/mo	↓ $32.98less	5.9%
Groceries	$1,050/mo	$1,047/mo	↓ $3.77less	0.4%

Other

↓ 6.7%

Bella Vista, AR

$1,911

Independence, KY

$1,782

Difference

$129

less

Housing

↑ 6.5%

Bella Vista, AR

$1,949

Independence, KY

$2,075

Difference

$126

Transportation

↓ 5.0%

Bella Vista, AR

$1,419

Independence, KY

$1,348

Difference

$70.92

less

Healthcare

↑ 5.5%

Bella Vista, AR

$608

Independence, KY

$642

Difference

$33.55

All Utilities

↓ 5.9%

Bella Vista, AR

$562

Independence, KY

$529

Difference

$32.98

less

Groceries

↓ 0.4%

Bella Vista, AR

$1,050

Independence, KY

$1,047

Difference

$3.77

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,170

To$1,100

↓ $70.00

1 Bed

From$1,290

To$1,200

↓ $90.00

2 Bed

From$1,560

To$1,550

↓ $10.00

3 Bed

From$2,170

To$2,050

↓ $120

Bella Vista, ARZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,290–$1,290/mo

Independence, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,200–$1,200/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500

Monthly in Bella Vista, AR

$7,423

Monthly in Independence, KY

$77.32

Difference

Home Values

Bella Vista

Independence

$349K

Median Value

$322K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.4%

↑ +55.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +34.8%

Homes in Independence are 8% less expensive than Bella Vista

Calculate payment - Bella Vista Calculate payment - Independence

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$127

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.0%

Rate difference

Bella Vista, AR

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arkansas State Tax

Effective: 6.0%

$9.0K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.7%

$46.0K

Take-Home Pay

$8,664/month

$104.0K

Independence, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Bella Vista, AR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.4%

Property Tax:0.6%

Independence, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Bella Vista

Independence

51 Moderate

Air Quality

52 Moderate

48.4%

Good Air Days

44.8%

98 High

Climate Risk

96 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

61 days

Heat Days >95°F

29 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.1°F

61 days

Heat Days >95°F

29 days

Before moving from Bella Vista, AR to Independence, KY

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Independence, KY for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Bella Vista, AR. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Bella Vista to Independence moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Independence, KY by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bella Vista, AR vs Independence, KY

How do the cost estimates for Bella Vista, AR and Independence, KY compare?

Independence, KY has a modeled overall cost index 0.6% lower than Bella Vista, AR. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Bella Vista, AR, the model estimates $149,072 in Independence, KY. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Bella Vista, AR and Independence, KY?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,560/month in Bella Vista, AR and $1,550/month in Independence, KY. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Arkansas and Kentucky on TaxTakeHome.com

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