State Comparison

Arkansas vs Oklahoma

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

Arkansas

of 16 metrics

Oklahoma

Cost of Living

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

Cost of Living Index

Composite index where 100 = national average. Lower means more affordable.

AR: 89

OK: 86.6

Housing

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

Median Home Price

Approximate median single-family home sale price (2024 data).

AR: $185,000

OK: $195,000

Median 2BR Rent

HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.

AR: $810/mo

OK: $870/mo

Closing Costs

Typical closing costs as a percentage of home sale price.

AR: 2.70%

OK: 2.50%

Transfer Tax Rate

State/county transfer tax on real estate transactions.

AR: 0.33%

OK: 0.07%

Taxes

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

Property Tax Rate

Effective median property tax rate on owner-occupied housing.

AR: 0.62%

OK: 0.90%

Top Income Tax Rate

Top marginal state income tax rate. States with no income tax show "None."

AR: 4.40%

OK: 4.75%

Sales Tax Rate

State-level sales tax rate (excludes local add-ons).

AR: 6.50%

OK: 4.50%

Capital Gains Tax Rate

State capital gains tax rate (0% = no separate capital gains tax).

AR: 4.40%

OK: 4.75%

Income & Employment

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

Median Household Income

Annual median household income from Census Bureau ACS.

AR: $52,528

OK: $55,826

Minimum Wage

State minimum wage for non-tipped employees.

AR: $11.00/hr

OK: $7.25/hr

Max Unemployment Benefit

Maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit.

AR: $451/wk

OK: $539/wk

Business

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

LLC Filing Fee

Initial state filing fee to form an LLC.

AR: $45

OK: $100

LLC Annual Fee

Annual LLC report or franchise fee.

AR: $150

OK: $25

Insurance & Living

Metric

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Advantage

Avg Car Insurance

Average annual full-coverage car insurance premium.

AR: $1,680/yr

OK: $2,050/yr

Avg Home Insurance

Average annual homeowners insurance premium.

AR: $2,600/yr

OK: $3,300/yr

Key Takeaways

1

Arkansas leads in 9 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
2

Housing: Median home prices are $185,000 in Arkansas vs $195,000 in Oklahoma — a $10,000 difference.
3

Taxes: Arkansas has a 4.4% top income tax rate while Oklahoma has a 4.75% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.62% vs 0.9%.
4

Cost of Living: Arkansas's index is 89 and Oklahoma's is 86.6 (national average = 100).

Run the Numbers

Use our free calculators with real Arkansas and Oklahoma data to model your specific scenario.

Arkansas Property Tax Calculator Oklahoma Property Tax Calculator Arkansas Paycheck Calculator Oklahoma Paycheck Calculator Arkansas Cost of Living Calculator Oklahoma Cost of Living Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arkansas or Oklahoma more affordable?

Oklahoma has a lower cost of living index (86.6) compared to Arkansas (89), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Overall, Oklahoma has a lower combined tax burden. Arkansas has a 4.4% top income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Oklahoma has a 4.75% top income tax, 4.5% sales tax, and 0.9% property tax.

What are housing costs in Arkansas vs Oklahoma?

The median home price in Arkansas is $185,000 compared to $195,000 in Oklahoma. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $810/month in Arkansas vs $870/month in Oklahoma.

Which state is better for starting a business — Arkansas or Oklahoma?

LLC filing costs are $45 in Arkansas vs $100 in Oklahoma, with annual fees of $150 and $25 respectively. Arkansas's 4.4% top tax rate compared to Oklahoma's 4.75% rate may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Arkansas to Oklahoma?

It depends on your priorities. Arkansas wins in 9 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

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Related Comparisons

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Comparing Arkansas and Oklahoma

When deciding between living in Arkansas or Oklahoma, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Arkansas (AR) has a median household income of $52,528 with a cost of living index of 89. Oklahoma (OK) has a median household income of $55,826 with a cost of living index of 86.6.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Arkansas calculator or Oklahoma calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.