What are the schools like in Mena, AR?

Mena is served primarily by MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1.

What is the median household income in Mena?

The median household income in Mena, AR is $53,288 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.6%.

What is the weather like in Mena, AR?

Mena has an average high temperature of 49.4°F in January and 89.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 58.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 4.0 inches.

Mena, AR Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Mena, AR affordable or expensive?

Mena's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Mena is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $110,700 and the median rent is $736 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Mena, AR?

Mena has a violent crime rate of 372.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2574.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Mena, AR a Good Place to Live?

Mena is a small town of 5,605 in Arkansas, with a median household income of $53,288 and a 10.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

Strengths: Mena stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Mena is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Mena city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.0

Mena's overall cost of living index is 87.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Mena costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Mena, AR	National Avg
Median Home Value	$110,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$736	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	70.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$53,288	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Near National Average

Mena's violent crime rate is 372.8 per 100,000 residents — 2% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

372.8 /100k

Property Crime

2574.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Mena is served primarily by MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Mena, AR	National Avg
School District	MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	16.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	91.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Mena sees average highs of 49.4°F in January and 89.7°F in July, with 58.4 inches of annual precipitation and 4.0 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Mena, AR
Average High — January	49.4°F
Average High — July	89.7°F
Annual Precipitation	58.4"
Annual Snowfall	4.0"

Demographics

Metric	Mena, AR	National Avg
Population	5,605	—
Median Age	38.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	93.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.2%	18.9%
Asian	0.6%	6.3%
Under 18	19.9%	22.2%
65 and over	19.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Acorn, AR 5 mi Board Camp, AR 10 mi Hatfield, AR 11 mi Cove, AR 14 mi Vandervoort, AR 16 mi

ZIP Codes in Mena

Mena, AR is covered by 1 ZIP code:

71953

Mena vs Other Cities

Mena, AR vs Acorn, AR Mena, AR vs Board Camp, AR Mena, AR vs Hatfield, AR Mena, AR vs Cove, AR Mena, AR vs Vandervoort, AR

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mena, AR affordable or expensive?

Mena's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Mena roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $110,700 and median rent is $736/month.

What is the crime rate in Mena, AR?

Mena's violent crime rate is 372.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2574.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Mena?

Public schools in Mena are operated by MENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1. 16.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Mena, AR a good place to live?

Mena, AR has a population of 5,605, a median household income of $53,288, and an unemployment rate of 10.6%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Mena?

Mena averages 49.4°F in January and 89.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 58.4 inches with about 4.0 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Mena?

Mena, AR is covered by 1 ZIP code: 71953.

What is the population of Mena?

The population of Mena, Arkansas is 5,605 with a median age of 38.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Mena?

Key numbers for living in Mena: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $110,700, median household income $53,288, crime index 108 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mena side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.