Cost of living in Arkansas
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in Arkansas are 13.1% below the national average, the 51st most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Utilities stand out in Arkansas: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 25.3% below the US average.
- Within Arkansas, metro price levels run from 84.0 in Texarkana, TX to 92.2 in Memphis, TN (US = 100).
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $55,219 in 2017 dollars, 38th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- In Arkansas, housing (41.8% below average) and everyday costs (goods 6.4% below average, other services 4.7% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
- Relative to the US, the price level in Arkansas has barely moved: 88.1 in 2008, 87.7 in 2019 and 86.9 in 2024.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In Arkansas, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 41.8% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| All items | 86.9 |
| Goods | 93.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 58.2 |
| Utilities | 74.7 |
| Other services | 95.3 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $3.78 a gallon in the Gulf Coast region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.50 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for Arkansas, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in Arkansas
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 7 metro areas BEA measures in Arkansas are Texarkana, TX (84.0), Hot Springs, AR (85.7) and Jonesboro, AR (85.9); the most expensive is Memphis, TN (92.2). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Texarkana, TX is the cheapest metro area in Arkansas (84.0); Memphis, TN the most expensive (92.2)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX | 84.0 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 85.7 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 85.9 |
| Fort Smith, AR | 85.9 |
| Little Rock, AR | 89.4 |
| Fayetteville, AR | 91.4 |
| Memphis, TN | 92.2 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX | 84.0 | 49.9 | 93.7 | 79.3 | 95.9 | $1,253 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 85.7 | 57.3 | 93.6 | 74.3 | 95.3 | $1,236 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 85.9 | 53.8 | 93.6 | 75.0 | 95.3 | $1,237 |
| Fort Smith, AR | 85.9 | 53.4 | 93.6 | 73.8 | 95.3 | $1,074 |
| Little Rock, AR | 89.4 | 68.3 | 93.6 | 74.6 | 95.3 | $1,234 |
| Fayetteville, AR | 91.4 | 76.9 | 93.6 | 75.1 | 95.3 | $1,571 |
| Memphis, TN | 92.2 | 79.8 | 96.2 | 74.1 | 95.4 | $1,393 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
Arkansas has stayed below the US average since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.1 |
| 2009 | 86.4 |
| 2010 | 88.6 |
| 2011 | 89.4 |
| 2012 | 89.4 |
| 2013 | 89.5 |
| 2014 | 89.4 |
| 2015 | 89.0 |
| 2016 | 89.3 |
| 2017 | 88.6 |
| 2018 | 87.1 |
| 2019 | 87.7 |
| 2020 | 88.2 |
| 2021 | 88.9 |
| 2022 | 86.9 |
| 2023 | 86.8 |
| 2024 | 86.9 |
Goods: 95.9 in 2008, 93.6 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.9 |
| 2009 | 93.8 |
| 2010 | 96.6 |
| 2011 | 96.0 |
| 2012 | 94.5 |
| 2013 | 95.4 |
| 2014 | 94.8 |
| 2015 | 94.0 |
| 2016 | 94.9 |
| 2017 | 94.5 |
| 2018 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 94.8 |
| 2020 | 94.3 |
| 2021 | 95.6 |
| 2022 | 93.1 |
| 2023 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 93.6 |
Housing (rents): 58.7 in 2008, 58.2 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 58.7 |
| 2009 | 57.4 |
| 2010 | 59.8 |
| 2011 | 61.0 |
| 2012 | 60.3 |
| 2013 | 59.9 |
| 2014 | 60.2 |
| 2015 | 59.4 |
| 2016 | 59.3 |
| 2017 | 57.6 |
| 2018 | 56.2 |
| 2019 | 56.8 |
| 2020 | 56.9 |
| 2021 | 59.4 |
| 2022 | 55.7 |
| 2023 | 56.7 |
| 2024 | 58.2 |
Utilities: 81.2 in 2008, 74.7 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 81.2 |
| 2009 | 79.5 |
| 2010 | 78.9 |
| 2011 | 79.1 |
| 2012 | 81.8 |
| 2013 | 81.5 |
| 2014 | 81.3 |
| 2015 | 84.5 |
| 2016 | 83.7 |
| 2017 | 83.1 |
| 2018 | 79.3 |
| 2019 | 78.4 |
| 2020 | 81.6 |
| 2021 | 82.6 |
| 2022 | 82.6 |
| 2023 | 81.9 |
| 2024 | 74.7 |
Other services: 97.1 in 2008, 95.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 |
| 2009 | 95.8 |
| 2010 | 97.4 |
| 2011 | 98.9 |
| 2012 | 100.1 |
| 2013 | 99.8 |
| 2014 | 99.9 |
| 2015 | 99.5 |
| 2016 | 99.5 |
| 2017 | 98.1 |
| 2018 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.4 |
| 2021 | 97.2 |
| 2022 | 96.0 |
| 2023 | 95.7 |
| 2024 | 95.3 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in Arkansas is $55,219, 38th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- Arkansas
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| Arkansas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $40,969 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $40,953 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $40,248 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $41,264 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $42,999 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $42,386 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $44,078 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $45,415 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $45,881 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $46,861 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $48,487 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $48,246 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $51,212 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $55,184 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $53,291 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $54,094 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $55,219 | $59,195 |
Compare Arkansas with other states
States with similar prices
- Oklahoma 87.8
- Mississippi 87.0
- Louisiana 88.2
- Kentucky 90.2
- Alabama 88.8
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.