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City Housing Verdict

Ward, AR

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Ward, AR — everyday costs run about 18% below the national average (Cost Index: 82). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $208,063, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $78,841 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Ward looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 17% rent burden, 2.6x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 69. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.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 Ward.

Monthly Housing
$1,147/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
17%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$4,923/mo
After housing and debt · $1,641/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: 25%
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Cost Index
82
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$208,063
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $182,100
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,147/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$78,841
National: $78,538
Population
6,367
Purchasing Power
122
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
69 / 100
31% below average
Rent Index
85 / 100
15% 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
82
Affordable · 18% below average

Ward Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $208,063 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
$78,841
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
17%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.6x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Ward 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 Ward, AR

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,290
Monthly Impact
$108
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 Ward 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.

Ward, AR
82
85
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Ward, AR: 69
Rent Prices
85

FAQ: Living in Ward

Is Ward, AR an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Ward run about 18% below the US average (Cost Index: 82). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $208,063, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,147, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Ward fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,147, while local median household income is $78,841. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 17% 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 Ward, 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 $208,063, that translates to roughly $1,290 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.47% on everyday purchases.

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

The typical monthly rent in Ward is around $1,147. That's roughly 15% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $208,063, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

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

The median home in Ward is valued at $208,063. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,052/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 65% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Ward?+

Grocery prices in Ward 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 Ward, AR like to live in?+

Ward is a small town with a population of about 6,367. The median age of residents is 30, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 13.33%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Arkansas

If Ward 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 Ward 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