Cost of Living in Arkansas

(Last Updated – September 2,2025)

Located in the West South Central region of the United States, Arkansas is notable for its hospitality, diverse economy, and natural beauty, which includes much of the scenic Ozark Mountains. You can spend your free time in the Natural State fishing, biking, and hiking in the great outdoors, or enjoy shopping, dining, and visiting with friends in communities that are famous for their small-town charm.

Arkansas is also one of the most affordable places to live in the U.S., especially when it comes to housing. Read on to learn more about the cost of living in Arkansas, and see if this state might be a good fit for you.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Arkansas?

Average Cost of Living in Arkansas: $44,254 per year

If you’re looking for a state with an affordable cost of living, Arkansas is definitely worth checking out. It ranks tenth in the U.S. for affordability, according to data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). That’s close in cost to neighboring states Oklahoma (first), Missouri (fourth), Mississippi (second), and Tennessee (ninth); but a little less expensive than nearby Louisiana (17th) and Texas (15th).

What is the cost of living in Arkansas in dollars? The average annual cost of living in Arkansas is $44,254, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Based on that figure, the average monthly cost of living in Arkansas would be about $3,688. (Your costs will differ, of course, depending on the size of your family and other factors. Singles typically spend significantly more per capita than married couples do on categories like food and housing, for example, and less on health care.)

Here’s how that breaks down into major cost categories.

Housing Costs in Arkansas

Average Housing Costs in Arkansas: $763 to $1,297 per month

You can expect housing to be one of your biggest costs no matter where you live, but according to MERIC data, housing costs in Arkansas are well below the national average. That’s good news whether you’re buying your first home or your forever home.

Arkansas has close to 1.4 million housing units, according to census data. Zillow listed the typical Arkansas home value at about $219,391 in August 2025, compared with a U.S. average of $368,581. The average monthly mortgage cost in Arkansas is $1,916.29.

Below is a breakdown of what monthly housing prices can look like in Arkansas if you’re renting, per the latest census data.

•  Median studio rent: $763

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $754

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $897

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,131

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,371

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $1,109

•  Median gross rent: $933

Arkansas home prices can vary significantly depending on where you are in the state. Here are typical home prices in 10 major Arkansas cities, according to Zillow, in August 2025.

Utility Costs in Arkansas

Average Utility Costs in Arkansas: $332 per month

Once you’ve got your housing costs covered, there are still the utility bills to consider. Costs vary based on location, family size, and time of year, but here’s a look at what you can expect to spend monthly on average in Arkansas.

Food & Beverage

Average Food & Beverage Costs in Arkansas: $299 per person, per month

Another ongoing expense is buying groceries. Along with your personal food choices and family size, where you live can also affect how much you’ll spend on food.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the average Arkansan’s nonrestaurant food cost is $3,590 annually, or about $299 per month. That means a family of four can expect to spend about $1,200 on groceries each month.

The Council for Community and Economic Research, which tracks the food costs in major American cities, ranked these Arkansas cities from lowest to highest for their 2024 grocery costs, using a scale on which 100 is the national average.

Transportation

Average Transportation Cost in Arkansas: $10,505 to $19,548 per year

Transportation costs can be a budget-buster, depending on the current price of gas, commute times in your area, and public transportation options.

Although public transit is available in different regions of Arkansas, most people still drive to and from work. The good news for those commuters is that the state is rated 13th in the nation for its commuting time by U.S. News and World Report’s current “Best States” rankings.

Family size, including the number of working adults in the home, also can be a factor in how much your transportation costs will be. This breakdown from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator can give you a general idea of what to expect when it comes to costs.

Health Care in Arkansas

Average Health Care Costs in Arkansas: $8,098 per person, per year

Your health needs, as well as your insurance coverage, will help determine how much you end up paying for care each year for yourself and your family. But according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report, the annual cost of health care per Arkansan is $8,098. As a monthly expense, that works out to about $674.

Child Care

Having kids generally makes a major impact on your budget, and child care is often one of the biggest monthly expenses families have to manage. As you might expect, prices tend to be higher in larger cities, like Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville, than in Arkansas’ mid-sized and rural communities. The price you pay for care will also depend how old your child is and whether or not you choose home-based family care.

Here are the average child care costs in Arkansas, per the most recent data from CostofChildCare.Org.

Taxes

Residents of Arkansas get a bit of a break when it comes to state income taxes. At 3.9%, Arkansas’ highest marginal state income tax rate is lower than that in most of its neighboring states.

The state sales tax rate in Arkansas is 6.5%, which is among the highest in the U.S. However, Arkansas doesn’t have a state inheritance or estate tax.

Arkansas counties collect an average of 0.52% of a property’s assessed fair market value as property tax per year.

Miscellaneous Costs

Now that we’ve covered the essentials (food, housing, utilities, etc.), we can turn our focus to the fun stuff. Here’s a look at how you might spend your days (and some of your discretionary funds) as a resident of Arkansas:

•   Soak up the beauty of Hot Springs National Park. There’s no cost to enter the park, and you can park in some areas downtown for free. If you have enough energy left after tackling the park’s hiking trails, be sure to check out the nearby shops, restaurants, and attractions.

•   Shop, dine, or just stroll in downtown Little Rock’s River Market District. You can buy fresh veggies at the Saturday farmers market, enjoy live music, take a fare-free streetcar ride, or visit the local art galleries.

•   Cheer on the Razorbacks. Single-game tickets for University of Arkansas football games, played in Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, typically go on sale in July, and seats can range from about $35 to more than $1,000 each, depending on where they’re located.

•   Take a walk through Walmart history. Find out how the Walmart retail chain got its start in Arkansas—and how it grew—at the Walmart Museum in Bentonville. Admission is free.

•   Go on a wine country tour. The Arkansas River Valley remains the hub for wineries, but you can find wineries and vineyards across the state. You can time your visit to coincide with one of the state’s annual wine festivals or visit any time. A bottle of cabernet sauvignon can cost about $20, and many venues offer live entertainment on the weekends.

•   Tour the trails near Bentonville on a mountain bike. A half-day tour that includes a professional guide, bike, helmet, water, and transportation to and from Bentonville costs about $100 per person

Recommended: What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Arkansas?

We all have different wants and needs, so it’s hard to say exactly how much money you might require to maintain a lifestyle that’s comfortable for you in Arkansas. But in Arkansas, the odds are in your favor. The state shines when you compare its affordability to the cost of living in other states. Per MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a single childless adult would need to make $40,540 a year before taxes to cover expenses in Arkansas. U.S. News & World Report’s Best States ranking named Arkansas as the most affordable state in 2025. And MERIC’s cost of living data also ranked Arkansas as one of the top affordable states, at #10.

Explore the best affordable places in every state.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Arkansas?

These three cities in Arkansas all have a low cost of living, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index for 2024:

Jonesboro

Jonesboro is probably best known as the home of Arkansas State University (go Red Wolves!), and it has a lively college-town appeal. But it’s also family-friendly, and academic excellence is a priority from grade school on up. It’s a growing city with diverse employment opportunities. And there’s plenty to do, from events in the popular downtown area to relaxing in one of the city’s many parks. Jonesboro’s cost-of-living index (83.3) makes it one of the most cost-effective places to live in the U.S.

Conway

Conway — home to University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College — is another popular college town in Arkansas. It’s also home to several large employers, including American Transportation, Acxiom, Frigidaire, Virco Manufacturing, and Kimberly Clark. If you’re looking for cultural activities, Conway is also known for its focus on the arts: The city has its own symphony orchestra. And outdoor enthusiasts can go fishing and boating on Lake Conway and Beaverfork Lake, or explore the city’s many parks and trails. With its low cost-of-living index (83.9), Conway can be an affordable place to settle down, whether you’re just starting out or ready to retire.

Little Rock/North Little Rock

Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas, and it’s also the state’s largest city. But both Little Rock and North Little Rock are known for their vibrant arts and cultural scenes, and for their important role in American history. The Arkansas River Trail, a 15.6-mile loop that connects the two cities, offers a view of the river and city skyline for both cyclists and pedestrians. The cost of living index (93.4) is a bit higher in this area, but it’s still comfortably below the national average.

Helpful Resources for Future Arkansas Residents