Cost of Living in Arkansas
Updated November 2026 · population 3,049,391
Arkansas prices are 13.1% below the US average (index 86.9), ranking 51st most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 58.2, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,100 a month.
Prices by category
Arkansas price index by category, US average = 100: All items 86.9, Housing (rents) 58.2, Goods 93.6, Utilities 74.7, Other services 95.3
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Arkansas (whole state) | 86.9 |
| Metropolitan areas of Arkansas | 89.0 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Arkansas | 83.0 |
Cities in Arkansas
Select a column heading to sort.
| Little Rock | 203,436 | 90.1 | $2,282 | $4,632 | $1,106 | $236,400 |
| Fayetteville | 99,319 | 89.6 | $2,246 | $4,805 | $1,065 | $349,600 |
| Fort Smith | 89,805 | 87.1 | $2,001 | $4,420 | $884 | $178,100 |
| Springdale | 88,160 | 89.7 | $2,167 | $4,644 | $1,071 | $261,800 |
| Jonesboro | 80,137 | 87.7 | $2,166 | $4,570 | $956 | $223,200 |
| Rogers | 72,981 | 92.0 | $2,424 | $4,811 | $1,270 | $308,200 |
| Conway | 67,642 | 89.0 | $2,183 | $4,613 | $1,011 | $252,100 |
| North Little Rock | 64,538 | 89.7 | $2,253 | $4,512 | $1,069 | $178,900 |
| Bentonville | 58,249 | 92.9 | $2,464 | $5,032 | $1,344 | $428,500 |
Metro areas in Arkansas
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 92.2 | 79.8 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 91.4 | 76.9 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 89.4 | 68.3 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 85.9 | 53.4 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 85.9 | 53.8 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 85.7 | 57.3 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | 84.0 | 49.9 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Arkansas.
Modelled monthly budget at Arkansas average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Arkansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $580 | $6,960 | 28% |
| Utilities | $216 | $2,592 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 13% |
| Transportation | $548 | $6,576 | 26% |
| Health care | $335 | $4,020 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $157 | $1,884 | 7% |
| Total | $2,100 | $25,200 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Arkansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $694 | $8,328 | 20% |
| Utilities | $342 | $4,104 | 10% |
| Food at home | $487 | $5,844 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,084 | $13,008 | 31% |
| Health care | $621 | $7,452 | 18% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $310 | $3,720 | 9% |
| Total | $3,538 | $42,456 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Arkansas (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $868 | $10,416 | 20% |
| Utilities | $416 | $4,992 | 9% |
| Food at home | $695 | $8,340 | 16% |
| Transportation | $1,442 | $17,304 | 33% |
| Health care | $579 | $6,948 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $399 | $4,788 | 9% |
| Total | $4,399 | $52,788 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
14.37¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +7.8% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +44.8% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 87.7 | 88.2 | 88.9 | 86.9 | 86.8 | 86.9 |
Change over the period: −0.8 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arkansas an expensive state to live in?
Arkansas has a cost of living index of 86.9 (US = 100), 13.1% below the US average. It ranks 51st of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 58.2 (rank 49), goods 93.6, utilities 74.7 and other services 95.3. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Arkansas?
At Arkansas state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,100 for a single adult, $3,538 for a couple and $4,399 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 89.0 and nonmetro areas 83.0.
What is the median rent and home value in Arkansas?
The median gross rent in Arkansas is $947 a month and the median home value is $188,000 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 27.6% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 05.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology