City · 23,763 residents · Crawford County, Arkansas
Van Buren, Arkansas
In Van Buren, a typical home is worth $181,500 and typical rent is $847 a month. Compared with all of Crawford County, the share of households that own their home is 10 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $160,559 to $209,496.
Typical rent
$1,108a month
▲ 3.1% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2025 to September 2026: from $1,057 to $1,108.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Van Buren is in Crawford County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Crawford County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Barling, the typical home value is $140,000: 23% less than in Van Buren ($181,500).
2
66% of households in Van Buren own their home, against 75% in Crawford County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Van Buren
What homes there are in Van Buren, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Kind of home: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Detached house
77%
77%
70%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
8%
7%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
11%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
10%
11%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
As in Crawford County, most homes in Van Buren are detached houses (77%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Year built: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Before 1960
10%
11%
13%
26%
1960–1979
27%
24%
26%
24%
1980–1999
38%
35%
30%
25%
2000–2009
19%
18%
16%
14%
2010 or later
7%
12%
14%
11%
The typical year built in Van Buren is 1990, about the same as in Crawford County (1991).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K14%
$100K–$200K42%
$200K–$300K27%
$300K–$500K16%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Under $100K
14%
$100K–$200K
42%
$200K–$300K
27%
$300K–$500K
16%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable
At least 98% of owner-occupied homes in Van Buren are worth less than $500,000, below the FHA loan limit for Crawford County ($541,287).
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50018%
$500–$99958%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $979
$1,000–$1,49921%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Under $500
18%
$500–$999
58%
$1,000–$1,499
21%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
By rent, most homes in Van Buren cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($979): about 73%.
With a mortgage
$1,151 a month
Crawford County: $1,262 a month
Without a mortgage
$492 a month
Crawford County: $442 a month
Owners with a mortgage
54%
Crawford County: 51%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Van Buren is $1,151 a month, less than in Crawford County ($1,262); without one, $492.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Van Buren+56%
Crawford County+59%
Arkansas+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Van Buren+17%
Crawford County+21%
Arkansas+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Van Buren+34%
Crawford County+37%
Arkansas+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Typical home value
+56%
+59%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+17%
+21%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+34%
+37%
+28%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Van Buren rose at about the same pace as in Crawford County: 56% against 59%.
The typical rent in Van Buren rose 17% over the same time; in Crawford County, it rose 21%.
The typical household income in Van Buren rose 34% over that time; home values changed +56% and rent +17%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Van Buren and its comparisons
Measure
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6.4%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
4.2%
3.4%
2.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.56
2.59
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
82%
82%
79%
69%
Carpool
11%
10%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
Work from home
3%
6%
9%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Crawford County, 4.2% of households in Van Buren have more than one person per room.
A household in Van Buren has 2.56 people on average, about the same as in Crawford County (2.59).
To get to work, 82% of workers in Van Buren drive alone; in Crawford County, 82%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Van Buren?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Van Buren, worth $181,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in Van Buren, which is $61,149 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $62,181 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Crawford County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Van Buren. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,353 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,451
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$178,212
Total interest
$256,405
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,065 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,427 a month
Tight
$1,427 to $1,834 a month
Your payment · 28%
Hard
more than $1,834 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Van Buren ($61,149 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,207
Property tax
$88
Home insurance
$76
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$80
You need at least $6,353 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,451; principal and interest $1,207.
The city and its county
Van Buren and Crawford County
Van Buren is in Crawford County, Arkansas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Van Buren
Map of Crawford County, Arkansas, with Van Buren marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Van Buren
Crawford County
Other cities with a page
Van Buren's own numbers
Typical home value
$181,500
Typical monthly rent
$847
Typical yearly household income
$61,149
Households that own their home
66%
Effective property tax rate
0.58%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Crawford County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$979
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+62%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Crawford County.
A typical home in Van Buren is worth $181,500: about the same as the county and 3% below Arkansas. With the typical household income in Van Buren ($61,149 a year), a typical home costs 3.0 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Van Buren3.0 years
Crawford2.9 years
Arkansas3.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Crawford County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Crawford County rose 90% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Crawford County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Crawford County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.8% +2.8% 2016
2017: +3.3% +3.3% 2017
2018: +4.7% +4.7% 2018
2019: +4.1% +4.1% 2019
2020: +1.4% +1.4% 2020
2021: +13.7% +13.7% 2021
2022: +18.8% +18.8% 2022
2023: +11.3% +11.3% 2023
2024: +3.2% +3.2% 2024
2025: +4.6% +4.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Crawford County, Arkansas and the United States
Period
County
Arkansas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.6%
+3.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+62%
+52%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+90%
+79%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Van Buren next to Crawford County, Arkansas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Van Buren$181,500
Crawford$182,800
Arkansas$188,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Van Buren$847
Crawford$851
Arkansas$947
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Van Buren$61,149
Crawford$64,132
Arkansas$60,773
United States$80,734
See the full table
Van Buren next to Crawford County and Arkansas
Measure
Van Buren
Crawford County
Arkansas
U.S.
Typical home value
$181,500
$182,800
$188,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$847
$851
$947
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$61,149 ▼5% below the county
$64,132
$60,773
$80,734
Households that own their home
66% ▼10 points below the county
75%
66%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,047 ▲7% above the county
$982
$1,040
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.58% ▲0.04 points above the county
0.54%
0.55%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
42% ▲1 points above the county
40%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Crawford County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Van Buren
For a typical $181,500 home in Van Buren, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Van Buren's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,451a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,353
Cash to close
$11,798
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $80
Conventional, 5% down$1,418a month
Down payment
$9,075
Cash to close
$14,520
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $86
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,147a month
Down payment
$36,300
Cash to close
$41,745
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,315a month
Down payment
$27,225
Cash to close
$32,670
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Van Buren
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,451
$6,353
$178,213
7.18%
FHA MIP · $80
$11,798
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,418
$9,075
$172,425
7.18%
PMI · $86
$14,520
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,147
$36,300
$145,200
7.18%
None
$41,745
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,315
$27,225
$154,275
8.18%
None
$32,670
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Van Buren is $847 a month: about the same as the county. In Van Buren, 42% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Crawford County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($979 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.83 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Crawford County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$741
$14.25
$29,640
1 bedroom
$748
$14.38
$29,920
2 bedrooms
$979
$18.83
$39,160
3 bedrooms
$1,324
$25.46
$52,960
4 bedrooms
$1,625
$31.25
$65,000
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Van Buren
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Van Buren is in ZIP code 72956.
For 2 bedrooms it is $970: $9 less than the fair market rent for Crawford County ($979).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Van Buren, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
72956
$730
$740
$970
$1,310
$1,610
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
72956 $970$1,310
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Van Buren when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 15 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Van Buren. These are the largest.
Van Buren201 S 18th St, Van Buren 72956199 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Van Buren · Average payment: $350 a month · Average wait: 6 months · Homes at several sites(479) 474-6901
Garden Walk on Elfen Glen I1608 Elfen Glen St, Van Buren 7295680 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1996 · For families
Garden Walk on Elfen Glen (ashley Park)1608 Elfen Glen St, Van Buren 7295680 homes, 72 low-income · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1996
Summerchase Apartments1005 N 28th St, Van Buren 7295672 low-income homes · For families(479) 474-1412
Garden Walk on Elfen Glen II1608 Elfen Glen St, Van Buren 7295654 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2013 · For families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Crawford County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Van Buren or Crawford County. The ones below are statewide in Arkansas: they work in Van Buren the same as in the rest of the state.
Arkansas state authority second mortgage of $1,000 to $15,000 for the down payment and closing costs, over 10 years and at the same rate as the ADFA first mortgage (Move-Up or StartSmart).Offered by Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Van Buren or Crawford County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Van Buren and all of Crawford County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Van Buren?
The typical home value in Van Buren is $181,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Crawford County it is $182,800.
How much does it cost to rent in Van Buren?
Typical rent in Van Buren is $847 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Crawford County is $979.
What is the FHA loan limit in Van Buren?
Van Buren uses the FHA limit for all of Crawford County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Van Buren?
The typical homeowner in Van Buren pays $1,047 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.58% of the home’s value; in Crawford County, the rate is 0.54%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Van Buren?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Crawford County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
