Cost of Living in Arkansas

Avg Index: 64

38 cities · Updated March 2026

$940
Avg Rent / Month
$61,389
Avg Income
$193,342
Avg Home Value
64
Avg Cost Index
4.4%
Income Tax
6.5%
Sales Tax
Cheapest in Arkansas
Malvern
Index: 43 · Rent: $760/mo
Most Expensive in Arkansas
Bentonville
Index: 101 · Rent: $1,238/mo

Arkansas Cost of Living Overview

Arkansas is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 64. The average monthly rent across Arkansas cities is $940, with median household incomes averaging $61,389 per year. The cheapest city is Malvern (index 43) and the most expensive is Bentonville (index 101).

Arkansas has a moderate tax environment with a 4.4% top income tax rate, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.62% effective property tax rate.

All 38 Cities in Arkansas — Ranked by Cost

Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)

#CityCost Index RentIncomeHome ValuePopulation
1 Malvern 43 $760/mo $40,602 $95,500 10,938
2 Camden 44 $704/mo $51,300 $108,800 10,427
3 Forrest 46 $795/mo $33,522 $87,800 12,826
4 Blytheville 47 $789/mo $49,928 $101,200 13,026
5 Pine Bluff 47 $831/mo $41,250 $86,400 40,436
6 Magnolia 48 $622/mo $42,188 $166,500 10,973
7 El Dorado 51 $845/mo $45,159 $113,100 17,382
8 Harrison 51 $703/mo $40,568 $165,000 13,217
9 West Memphis 51 $847/mo $41,860 $119,100 24,147
10 Arkadelphia 54 $741/mo $42,430 $176,000 10,316
11 Batesville 55 $821/mo $54,424 $159,200 11,385
12 Mountain Home 56 $857/mo $42,103 $160,200 13,021
13 Russellville 57 $835/mo $48,708 $166,500 29,057
14 Fort Smith 58 $852/mo $52,692 $168,100 89,496
15 Texarkana 58 $893/mo $47,930 $162,700 29,343
16 Van Buren 58 $820/mo $59,420 $178,000 23,545
17 Jacksonville 59 $913/mo $46,947 $155,300 29,285
18 Searcy 59 $849/mo $50,896 $176,200 23,115
19 Paragould 60 $883/mo $56,181 $175,400 29,940
20 Jonesboro 66 $926/mo $52,559 $213,400 79,187
21 North Little Rock 66 $1,028/mo $51,236 $169,500 64,504
22 Siloam Springs 67 $941/mo $65,725 $205,000 18,096
23 Benton 69 $1,003/mo $69,638 $199,400 35,954
24 Cabot 69 $974/mo $72,656 $197,000 26,733
25 Sherwood 69 $1,011/mo $79,157 $190,900 32,915
26 Bryant 72 $973/mo $83,219 $223,400 21,125
27 Conway 72 $986/mo $58,461 $234,600 66,288
28 Marion 73 $1,058/mo $80,637 $206,300 13,641
29 Springdale 73 $1,008/mo $66,044 $237,200 87,388
30 Little Rock 74 $1,067/mo $60,583 $221,200 202,739
31 Hot Springs 76 $1,167/mo $69,953 $262,000 16,509
32 Lowell 81 $1,080/mo $92,986 $260,100 10,438
33 Maumelle 82 $995/mo $92,466 $276,900 19,286
34 Fayetteville 84 $1,003/mo $59,074 $322,500 97,227
35 Bella Vista 86 $1,316/mo $85,932 $262,400 30,935
36 Rogers 86 $1,182/mo $82,993 $278,000 71,411
37 Centerton 99 $1,436/mo $112,920 $295,500 20,212
38 Bentonville 101 $1,238/mo $108,465 $370,700 56,326

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cost of living in Arkansas

What is the cost of living in Arkansas?
The average cost of living index across 38 cities in Arkansas is 64 (US average = 100). Average rent is $940/month and median household income averages $61,389/year.
What is the cheapest city in Arkansas?
The cheapest city in Arkansas is Malvern with a cost index of 43, median rent of $760/month, and median income of $40,602/year.
What is the most expensive city in Arkansas?
The most expensive city in Arkansas is Bentonville with a cost index of 101, median rent of $1,238/month, and median income of $108,465/year.
What are taxes like in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a top income tax rate of 4.4%, a sales tax of 6.5%, and an effective property tax rate of 0.62%.
How many cities does CostToLive cover in Arkansas?
We track cost of living data for 38 cities in Arkansas with populations of 10,000 or more, using US Census Bureau ACS 2023 data.