Bentonville vs San Antonio

Category / Metric	Bentonville	San Antonio
Financial Overview
Median Income	$108,465	$62,322
Unemployment Rate	4.1%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$500,000	$264,900
Price per SqFt	$233	$153
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$773	$1,197
Housing Cost Index	75.8	94.2
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	92.1	91.9
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	671.9	798.0
Bachelor's Degree+	53.7%	30.5%
Air Quality (AQI)	33	39

San Antonio vs. Bentonville: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

Alright, let's cut through the noise. You're staring at two very different cities on the relocation map: San Antonio, the massive, historic Texas giant, and Bentonville, the polished, corporate heartbeat of Northwest Arkansas. One gives you the Alamo, the River Walk, and a metro population pushing 2.5 million. The other gives you Walmart’s global headquarters, world-class mountain biking trails, and a town that feels like a high-end campus.

Choosing between them isn't just about picking a dot on the map. It's about picking a lifestyle. So, let's get our coffee, roll up our sleeves, and break this down like we're advising a friend. No fluff, just the straight talk you need to make a smart move.

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The Vibe Check: Culture & Lifestyle

First things first: the soul of these places.

San Antonio is the quintessential Texas melting pot. It’s a city with deep, visible history—Spanish missions, a vibrant Mexican-American culture, and a military presence that shapes the community. The vibe here is laid-back, warm, and fiercely proud. Think weekend trips to the Hill Country, festivals year-round, and a food scene that’s a national treasure (breakfast tacos are a religion). It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s comfortable in its own skin. You’re not moving here for a cutting-edge, fast-paced metro feel; you’re moving here for community, culture, and a slower, more human pace despite the size.

Bentonville, on the other hand, is the picture of corporate prosperity meets outdoor enthusiast. It’s clean, orderly, and meticulously planned. The vibe is active, aspirational, and family-focused. This is a town built on the success of Walmart, and it shows in the pristine downtown, the world-class Crystal Bridges Museum, and the endless network of mountain biking and hiking trails. It feels more like a large, affluent college town than a traditional city. The energy is younger, more affluent, and centered around outdoor activities and cultural events.

Who is each city for?

• San Antonio is for you if you crave cultural depth, a diverse community, warm weather, and don't mind a big-city scale with a small-town heart.
• Bentonville is for you if you prioritize a high quality of life, outdoor recreation, a strong (but smaller) sense of community, and a clean, modern environment, often with a higher income.

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The Dollar Power: Cost of Living & Salary

This is where the rubber meets the road. Let's talk real purchasing power.

First, a crucial note: Texas has no state income tax. Arkansas has a progressive income tax, topping out at 5.5% for higher earners. That’s a significant chunk of your paycheck that Texas keeps in your pocket.

Now, let's look at the hard numbers. We'll compare a 1-bedroom apartment rent, utilities, and groceries.

Expense Category	San Antonio	Bentonville	The Takeaway
Rent (1BR)	$1,197	$773	Bentonville wins on pure rent cost.
Utilities (Monthly Avg)	~$150	~$125	Minor savings in AR, but not a dealbreaker.
Groceries	10% below nat'l avg	5% below nat'l avg	San Antonio edges out for grocery savings.
Median Home Price	$264,900	$500,000	Sticker shock in Bentonville. Over 2x the cost.

Salary Wars & Purchasing Power:
Let's play a scenario. You earn the median income in each city.

• In San Antonio, with a median income of $62,322, your take-home pay (no state tax) is roughly $48,000 annually. Your median rent ($1,197) eats about 30% of your gross monthly income. It’s manageable but tight.
• In Bentonville, with a median income of $108,465, your take-home after Arkansas state tax (using a blended rate for simplicity) is closer to $86,000. Your median rent ($773) is a steal, eating only about 8.5% of your gross monthly income. That’s a massive difference.

Verdict on Purchasing Power: If you earn the median salary, Bentonville offers vastly superior purchasing power for housing. However, if you’re coming in with a high salary, the lack of a state income tax in Texas becomes a huge advantage. The real kicker is the home price gap: buying a median home in Bentonville costs nearly $235,000 more than in San Antonio. That down payment difference is a monumental hurdle.

CALLOUT: The Purchasing Power Winner
For the average earner, Bentonville offers more bang for your buck, especially in housing. For the high-earning professional, San Antonio's no-income-tax advantage can be a game-changer, making your six-figure salary stretch much further.

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The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

San Antonio:

• Buy vs. Rent: The market is accessible. With a median home price of $264,900, buying is a realistic goal for many middle-class families. There's a healthy inventory of single-family homes in established neighborhoods and new developments on the outskirts.
• Market Status: It's a balanced market. You won't face the cutthroat bidding wars of Austin or Dallas, but desirable homes still move quickly. It’s a seller’s market in the hottest suburbs, but generally, it’s a place where you have a fighting chance as a buyer.

Bentonville:

• Buy vs. Rent: This is a tale of two markets. Renting is surprisingly affordable ($773), but buying is a different beast. The median home price of $500,000 reflects the influx of high-income corporate employees and a limited housing supply in the core. You can find cheaper homes in neighboring Rogers or Springdale, but you're paying a premium to be in Bentonville proper.
• Market Status: This is a strong seller’s market, especially for homes under $500k. New construction is booming, but demand from Walmart and suppliers keeps inventory tight. Expect competition and potentially over-asking prices for well-located homes.

Insight: San Antonio is the clear winner for prospective homeowners looking for affordability and entry-level options. Bentonville is a market for those with significant capital or who are comfortable with a longer commute from more affordable surrounding towns.

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The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute:

• San Antonio: As a major metro, traffic is real. The I-35 and I-10 corridors can be a nightmare during rush hour. Commutes can easily hit 30-45 minutes for a 15-mile distance. It’s a car-dependent city.
• Bentonville: Traffic is a breeze compared to any major city. You can cross town in 15-20 minutes most days. However, the area is growing fast, and congestion is increasing, especially on the main arteries connecting Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville. It’s manageable but changing.

Weather:

• San Antonio: Hot. Summers are brutal, with months of 90°F+ highs and high humidity. Winters are mild (rarely freezing). You trade four distinct seasons for a long, warm season.
• Bentonville: Seasonal. You get a true four seasons. Summers are warm (85-90°F) but less humid than Texas. Fall is gorgeous. Winter brings cold (often below freezing) and occasional snow/ice storms that can shut things down. You’ll need a real winter coat.

Crime & Safety:

• San Antonio: The data shows a violent crime rate of 798.0/100k. This is above the national average. While many neighborhoods are very safe (like Alamo Heights, Stone Oak), crime varies significantly by area. It requires more neighborhood research.
• Bentonville: The violent crime rate is 671.9/100k. Slightly lower than San Antonio, but still above the national average. However, the perception and reality are often different; the city invests heavily in public safety, and the core feels exceptionally safe. Crime is generally lower in the suburban-style neighborhoods.

Verdict on Dealbreakers: Your choice depends on your tolerance for heat vs. cold and traffic vs. isolation. If you hate winter and can handle a big-city commute, San Antonio wins. If you prefer seasons and a quicker daily drive, Bentonville is better.

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The Final Verdict: Who Wins Where?

This isn't a simple "one is better" conclusion. It's about the right fit.

Category	Winner	Why
Cost of Living (Housing)	San Antonio	The median home price is less than half of Bentonville's.
Purchasing Power (Median Earner)	Bentonville	Higher income, lower rent, and no state tax on groceries/utilities.
Culture & Diversity	San Antonio	Deep history, vibrant food scene, and a diverse, multicultural population.
Outdoor Recreation	Bentonville	World-class mountain biking, hiking, and lakes in a pristine setting.
Career Opportunities	Tie	San Antonio has a diverse economy (military, healthcare, tech). Bentonville is dominated by Walmart/suppliers but pays exceptionally well.
Traffic & Commute	Bentonville	Far less congestion and shorter drive times.
Weather	Tie	Do you prefer hot/humid (San Antonio) or seasonal/cold (Bentonville)?

The Winner for Families:

San Antonio. The affordability of homeownership, the vast array of family-friendly activities (zoos, museums, festivals), and the strong sense of community in various neighborhoods make it a more accessible and diverse choice for raising a family on a typical budget.

The Winner for Singles/Young Professionals:

Bentonville. If you can secure a high-paying job (often the case here), the quality of life is off the charts. A vibrant, clean downtown, endless outdoor activities, and a social scene built around active, young professionals is hard to beat. San Antonio's nightlife is more traditional and spread out.

The Winner for Retirees:

San Antonio. The climate is a huge draw for those wanting to avoid harsh winters. The lower cost of living, especially for homeownership, means retirement savings go further. There’s a mature, established community and plenty of cultural and slow-paced activities.

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At-a-Glance: Pros & Cons

San Antonio

• Pros:
  • No state income tax.
  • Affordable housing market.
  • Rich cultural and historical scene.
  • Diverse population and food culture.
  • Mild winters.
• Cons:
  • Brutal, humid summers.
  • Higher traffic congestion.
  • Higher violent crime rate (varies by neighborhood).
  • Less focus on outdoor recreation.

Bentonville

• Pros:
  • Outdoor paradise (hiking, biking, lakes).
  • Excellent public schools and family amenities.
  • Clean, safe, and well-maintained city.
  • Short commutes and manageable traffic.
  • High median income and corporate job opportunities.
• Cons:
  • Extremely high home prices.
  • Limited cultural/diversity compared to a major city.
  • State income tax.
  • Can feel "corporate" or lacking in independent spirit.
  • Cold winters with ice storms.

The Bottom Line: Choose San Antonio if you want big-city culture, affordability, and warm weather. Choose Bentonville if you prioritize outdoor lifestyle, high salaries, and a pristine, family-friendly environment—and have the budget to match.