Arkansas Cost of Living Calculator
Arkansas scores 89.0 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 76.9, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $66,750 here; its highest part is utilities at 98.7.
| Index | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 89.0 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 76.9 |
| Groceries | 94.6 |
| Utilities | 98.7 |
| Transportation | 91.5 |
| Health care | 85.5 |
| Other goods and services | 94.6 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
-$8,250.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Arkansas's figures fill the destination side: composite 89.0 for the salary, housing 76.9 for the rent, and 3.7% top rate for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Arkansas ranks 8th lowest of the 50 states on the composite index (89.0). Median household income: $62,106 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,073 a month.
What Arkansas's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Arkansas | Rent at the U.S. average → in Arkansas | Arkansas income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $44,500 | $1,000 → $769 | $1,159 (2.6%) |
| $75,000 | $66,750 | $1,500 → $1,154 | $1,982 (3.0%) |
| $100,000 | $89,000 | $2,000 → $1,538 | $2,805 (3.2%) |
| $150,000 | $133,500 | $2,500 → $1,923 | $4,739 (3.5%) |
Arkansas 2026 single-filer rates, after Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — 2025 AR1000F and AR1000NR instructions, line 27 and personal tax credits (tax year 2025).
Arkansas and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Arkansas | $1,500 rent there = in Arkansas | $75,000 in Arkansas = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 91.3 / 81.3 | $73,111 | $1,419 | $76,938 | 3% flat → 3.7% top rate |
| Mississippi | 87.4 / 70.8 | $76,373 | $1,629 | $73,652 | 4% top rate → 3.7% top rate |
| Missouri | 88.2 / 77.7 | $75,680 | $1,485 | $74,326 | 4.7% top rate → 3.7% top rate |
| Oklahoma | 83.0 / 65.1 | $80,422 | $1,772 | $69,944 | 4.5% top rate → 3.7% top rate |
| Tennessee | 89.7 / 80.0 | $74,415 | $1,442 | $75,590 | none on wages → 3.7% top rate |
| Texas | 90.8 / 77.2 | $73,513 | $1,494 | $76,517 | none on wages → 3.7% top rate |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Arkansas?
Arkansas's composite index is 89.0 for Q2 2026, the 8th lowest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $66,750 buys in Arkansas.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Arkansas?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Arkansas's highest part is utilities (98.7) and its lowest is housing (76.9); none of the six parts is above the national average (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Arkansas at 30% of income?
About $42,920 a year: Arkansas's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,073 a month, and $12,876 a year is 30% of that salary.