Cost of Living in Mena, AR
Population 5,605 · Arkansas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Mena sits on the smaller end of the Arkansas city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. At 10.5%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Mena lies roughly 105 miles west of the nearest major metro, Little Rock — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Little Rock's $221,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Mena
The median home value in Mena is $114,200 — 63% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $720/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,875/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Arkansas's top state income tax rate is 4.4% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. Overall, Mena has a cost of living index of 44 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 56% less expensive.
Mena has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Mena, AR?
Mena has a cost index of 44 (100 = national average). It is 56% below the national average.
What is average rent in Mena, AR?
The median gross rent in Mena is $720 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Mena?
The median home value in Mena is $114,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Mena?
The median household income in Mena is $50,875 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Mena, AR?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mena is 9.5%. The Arkansas state income tax top rate is 4.4%.
Is Mena, AR affordable?
Yes, Mena is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 44 — about 56% below the US national average of 100.
Mena at a Glance
- Population
- 5,605
- Median Income
- $50,875
- Home Value
- $114,200
- Median Rent
- $720/mo
- Unemployment
- 10.5%
- Sales Tax
- 9.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Arkansas Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs