Arkansas · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Benton County, AR

Prices around Benton County, AR run 8.6% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $93,506 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,347 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $53,880 a year.

Benton County, AR at a glance

Median household income

$93,506$7,792 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,347HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)91.4-8.6% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Population303,632Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Benton County, AR?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,347Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,880To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,338At 30% of $93,506
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Benton County, AR? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Benton County, AR, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,007$12,084$40,28012.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,115$13,380$44,60014.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,347$16,164$53,88017.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,873$22,476$74,92024%
4-Bedroom Home$2,213$26,556$88,52028.4%

Rent in Benton County, AR, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Benton County, AR

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $93,506 a year ($7,792 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,896/moRent ($1,347 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,338/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,558/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $93,506 leaves after Arkansas taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Arkansas tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$93,506
$35,000$190,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$93,506
Net 76%
Fed 13%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$71,510After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,959Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,750Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate23.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$11,741 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$3,101 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$7,153 / yr

Living in Benton County, AR: common questions

What is the median household income in Benton County, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Benton County, AR is $93,506 per year (approximately $7,792 per month).

What is the average rent in Benton County, AR?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,007 for a studio, $1,115 for one bedroom, $1,347 for two, $1,873 for three and $2,213 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Benton County, AR expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8.6% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 91.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Benton County, AR?

To keep a $1,347 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $53,880 a year, or $4,490 a month. That is 58% of what the typical household in Benton County, AR earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Benton County, AR?

On the local median income of $93,506 ($7,792 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,896 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,338 for everything else and $1,558 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,347 takes 35% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Benton County, AR?

Homes in Arkansas paid 14.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $127. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.