Cost of Living in Mena, AR: Rent, Income & Home Prices

CheapRent takes 16 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$67262% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$51,151about $4,263/month · 41% lower than U.S. average

🔑 House price$132,90060% lower than U.S. average

Rent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 15.8 minutes.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $26,880 a year. That is $13 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Arkansas cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Arkansas. It is number 4 of 71 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Mena

$672

$1,036

$1,101

$618

$741

$1,065

$2,338

How much do households earn in Mena?

Under $25k

20.3%

$25k–50k

36.2%

$50k–100k

31.2%

$100k–150k

2.6%

$150k+

4.1%

Share of households by yearly income. 6.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Mena

Size	Mena	U.S. average
1 bedroom	$295	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$774	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$563	$1,698

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Mena overall?

Everyday prices in Arkansas overall are 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.9, U.S. = 100).

Housing

Goods (food, clothes…)

Utilities

Other services

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Mena, so the Arkansas figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Mena

🏛️ Property tax$569a year · 0.43% of home value · U.S. $3,119

⚡ Electric bill$154a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Mena

Commute to work15.8 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree18.4%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home67.5%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line13.9%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment9.4%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mena?

Renting is cheaper right now: about $250 a month less.

Renting

$672

Owning

$922

Owning assumes a typical $132,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,290 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Mena, AR?

Renting in Mena costs a median of about $672 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arkansas median is $1,068.

How much do I need to make to live in Mena?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $26,880 a year, or $13 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Mena cheap or expensive?

Mena is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.8% of the typical household income of $51,151. It ranks 4th cheapest of 71 Arkansas cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Mena?

The median homeowner in Mena pays $569 a year in property taxes, about 0.43% of the median home value.

Is Mena more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in Arkansas are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Mena?

The median home value in Mena is $132,900, about 2.6 times the typical yearly household income.

5,582 people live in Mena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is Mena, AR expensive to live in?