What it actually costs to live in Arkansas.
Arkansas’s cost-of-living index sits at 84 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #49 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Arkansas costs about 16% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $275,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $922/mo.
Arkansas cost components
| Component | Arkansas | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 84 | 100 |
| Median home price | $275,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $922/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $167/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Arkansas compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Arkansas ranks #49 for cost. That puts Arkansas among the 10 most affordable — typical relocation candidates from CA/NY/MA looking for housing relief land here. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Arkansas metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Little Rock has very different housing dynamics than smaller Arkansas metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Arkansas metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Arkansas cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Arkansas?
Arkansas's MERIC cost-of-living index is 84 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Arkansas costs about 16% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in Arkansas?
Arkansas's state-level median home price is approximately $275,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Arkansas?
Arkansas's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $922/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Arkansas-specific cost-of-living quirks?
Arkansas COL index ~88; NW Arkansas (Bentonville/Fayetteville) is the wealthiest pocket due to Walmart/Tyson/JB Hunt headquarters and has seen 50%+ home appreciation since 2020.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.