Cost of Living in Arkansas

Arkansas has a cost of living index of 70, making it 30% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $52,138 (31% below the US median of $75,149). Across 535 cities tracked in Arkansas, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Arkansas cities is $775/mo (41% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $126,718 (58% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 74-point spread between the most affordable city, Trumann (index 57), and the most expensive, Cave Springs (index 130) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Arkansas, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Arkansas by population are Little Rock (index 82, pop. 202,739), Fayetteville (index 89, pop. 97,227), Fort Smith (index 69, pop. 89,496), Springdale (index 82, pop. 87,388), and Jonesboro (index 76, pop. 79,187). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.