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Conway, AR

Stretch

Your dollar goes further in Conway, AR — everyday costs run about 15% below the national average (Cost Index: 85). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $245,903, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $58,461 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Conway sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Conway.

Monthly Housing
$986/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
20%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,386/mo
After housing and debt · $1,129/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 31%
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Cost Index
85
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$245,903
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $234,600
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$986/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$58,461
National: $78,538
Population
66,288
Purchasing Power
88
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
81 / 100
19% below average
Rent Index
73 / 100
27% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
75 / 100
25% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
95 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
85
Affordable · 15% below average

Conway Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $245,903 and Arkansas's property tax rate of 0.62%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$58,461
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
20%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
4.2x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Conway looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Conway, AR

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,525
Monthly Impact
$127
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.62%
National avg: ~1.00%

Arkansas Place Tax Context

Tax TypeArkansasNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.62%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4.4%~5.0%
State Sales Tax9.47%~5.0%

Compare Conway to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Conway, AR
85
73
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Conway, AR: 81
Rent Prices
73

FAQ: Living in Conway

Is Conway, AR an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Conway run about 15% below the US average (Cost Index: 85). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $245,903, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $986, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Conway fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $986, while local median household income is $58,461. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Conway, AR?+

Arkansas has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.62%. On a home worth $245,903, that translates to roughly $1,525 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.47% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Conway, AR?+

The typical monthly rent in Conway is around $986. That's roughly 27% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $245,903, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Conway, AR?+

The median home in Conway is valued at $245,903. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,243/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 44% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Conway?+

Grocery prices in Conway are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 75). Both help keep your monthly expenses lower than in many parts of the country.

What is Conway, AR like to live in?+

Conway is a smaller city with a population of about 66,288. The median age of residents is 29.6, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 18.26%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Arkansas

If Conway feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Arkansas

Use these city pages when you want to compare Conway against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly