Rows tagged local are specific to Benton (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Little Rock, AR. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district Benton School District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
89.5
metro-area
#24 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
93.1
metro-area
#22 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.09
metro-area
#22 of 200 metros
Median household income
$66,868
local
#2344 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$44,552
local
#1735 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.4 years
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
32.9%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
4.6%
metro-area
#169 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
63.6%
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.79%
local
#923 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+3.8%
local
#1496 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$186,700
local
#498 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.8×
local
#509 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.5%
metro-area
#41 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$93
local
#398 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,001 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$955
local
#313 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,970
Median days on market
36
metro-area
#173 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.2%
state
#111 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.47%
state
#186 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.90%
Capital gains tax
3.90%
state
#73 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.68%
local
#656 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,269
local
#203 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
74.4 years
metro-area
#166 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,000
state
#4 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
8.6%
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
80
metro-area
#81 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$7,500
state
#11 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$30
state
#1 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.02% of value (~$286/yr)
state
#143 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
8
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#652 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
79.3%
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
31.8%
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.2¢/kWh
state
#16 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$127
state
#16 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#11 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,800
state
#149 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
86.9 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$750
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
55
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,200
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
69
metro-area
#149 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
6
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
93°F
metro-area
#174 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
49.0"
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
8.0"
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
640
state
#195 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#173 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
22
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Parks
26
Hiking areas
8
Golf courses
13
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.