Moving to Arkansas? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Arkansas is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. Known for its diverse geography and rich cultural heritage, Arkansas is home to many attractions and historical sites, including the Ozark Mountains, Hot Springs National Park, and the Clinton Presidential Library.

If you are considering moving to Arkansas, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Arkansas Facts:

Population: 3.026 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $51,787 (2022)
Random Fact: The Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto first discovered the area of Arkansas
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Arkansas

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$4,000 – $6,000
Texas	$2,500 – $4,000
Florida	$3,500 – $5,500
New York	$4,500 – $7,000

2. Arkansas Housing Costs

The cost of living in Arkansas is relatively low compared to many other states, with affordable housing being a significant factor.

Monthly Rental Prices in Arkansas:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $970+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $775+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,660+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,250+

Arkansas Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $1,360+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,160+

Arkansas Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Arkansas compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 61.6% more expensive
New York is 73.6% more expensive
Los Angeles is 63.5% more expensive
Toronto is 46.8% more expensive
Sydney is 53.8% more expensive
Paris is 39.3% more expensive
Dubai is 45.7% more expensive

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: iRoommates, Roomies.
Different Areas – Different Prices: In the capital city of Little Rock, rental prices vary widely depending on the neighbourhood, with downtown areas being more expensive than the outskirts of the city.

3. Arkansas Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Arkansas is known for its southern-style cuisine, including dishes such as fried catfish, barbecue ribs, and chicken fried steak. The state is also known for its production of rice, which is a staple in many dishes, as well as for its craft breweries and wineries.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.00
Bottle of Coke: $2.50
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $3.20
12 Eggs: $3.70
1kg Chicken: $6.60
1kg Beef: $14.10
1kg Apples: $4.70
1kg White Rice: $2.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 17.7% more expensive and groceries are 6.6% cheaper than Arkansas.
New York restaurants are 29.6% more expensive and groceries are 38.2% more expensive than Arkansas.
Los Angeles restaurants are 24.9% more expensive and groceries are 21.3% more expensive than Arkansas.
Toronto restaurants are 7.3% more expensive and groceries are 11.2% more expensive than Arkansas.
Sydney restaurants are 6.4% more expensive and groceries are 22% more expensive than Arkansas.
Paris restaurants are 39.3% more expensive and groceries are 20.4% more expensive than Arkansas.
Dubai restaurants are 1.6% more expensive and groceries are 25.4% cheaper than Arkansas.

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Arkansas has a range of farmers’ markets offering locally sourced fresh produce, including the Little Rock Farmers’ Market and the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market. The state is also home to a variety of supermarkets ranging from discount chains such as Walmart and Aldi to higher-end stores like Whole Foods and Fresh Market.
Find Cheap Eats: Arkansas has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor, Yelp.

4. Arkansas Alcohol Costs

Arkansas, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.25
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $15.00

How To Drink For Less in Arkansas:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Yelp for a list of happy hour locations.

5. Arkansas Transportation Fares

Arkansas has limited public transportation options, with most cities relying on buses as their primary mode of public transit. Some cities, such as Little Rock and Fayetteville, also have bike-share programs and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.70
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $36.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Arkansas

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in Arkansas is around 16-18°C. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of around 5°C, while the hottest month is July, with an average temperature of around 27°C. The wettest month in Arkansas is typically May, with an average rainfall of around 5 inches (127 mm).

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $42.00
Summer Dress: $36.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $62.50
Business Shoes: $105.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $138.00
Deodorant: $3.20
Shampoo: $3.60
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.00
Gym Membership: $26.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Arkansas

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Arkansas. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Arkansas from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Arkansas:

Volkswagen Golf: $27,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.80

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Arkansas:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld and Share Your Ride
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Arkansas

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

In Arkansas, the statewide sales tax rate is 6.5%, but local cities and counties can add their own taxes on top of that, resulting in a range of sales tax rates from 6.5% to 12%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Arkansas you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Arkansas

If you do make the move to Arkansas, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $450
New York: $110
Los Angeles: $100
Toronto: $200
Vancouver: $560
Dubai: $980
Sydney: $1,300
Melbourne: $1,400
Cape Town: $655
Hong Kong: $1,150

Other Tips on Moving to Arkansas:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Arkansas but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Arkansas Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Arkansas.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Arkansas always has something going on. Have a look at Eventbrite and Visit Little Rock.

12. Moving to Arkansas with a Family

Arkansas, US can be a family-friendly location with many outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping available, but it also has some areas with higher crime rates, particularly in Little Rock and Pine Bluff. The overall crime rate in Arkansas is slightly higher than the national average, but it varies by location.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Arkansas Department of Health.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Arkansas has several family-friendly areas to live in, depending on your preferences, but some of the top-rated locations include Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Rogers in the northwest region of the state, which offer a strong school system, low crime rates, and many outdoor activities, along with a thriving arts and culture scene. Other family-friendly areas in Arkansas include Cabot, Maumelle, and Conway, which are also known for their good schools and quality of life.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Arkansas. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor, Arkansas and Family Days Out.

13. Moving to Arkansas for Work

While it is possible to move to Arkansas without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Arkansas are agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, with significant contributions from transportation, logistics, and technology sectors.

As of March 2023, the unemployment rate in Arkansas is 3.6%, which is lower than the national average and a positive sign for the state’s economy.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Talent and PayScale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed and Simply Hired. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Arkansas from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Arkansas, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: Australia has a land area of approximately 2.97 million square miles, while Arkansas has a land area of around 53,179 square miles. Therefore, Arkansas is roughly 1.8% the size of Australia.
Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Arkansas from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Arkansas. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Canada has a land area of approximately 3.85 million square miles, while Arkansas has a land area of around 53,179 square miles. Therefore, Arkansas is roughly 1.4% the size of Canada.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Arkansas from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Arkansas. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Arkansas has a land area of around 53,179 square miles, while the United Kingdom has a land area of approximately 93,628 square miles.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Arkansas, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Arkansas you can start by comparing moving quotes here.