Arkansas’ is known for its affordable places to live, friendly people, and, of course, fried catfish.
But how do you find the most affordable place to live in Arkansas? You head to the cold, hard data. And, lucky for you, we used Saturday Night Science to crunch the numbers from the US Census in terms of median housing costs, median income, and overall cost of living for cities with over 5,000 residents in Arkansas.
If you choose to live in one of the affordable places listed below, you’ll save money for the fun things this Southern gem offers, like the Hot Springs Music Festival or a day trip to Buffalo National Park.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in Arkansas
What is the most affordable place to live in Arkansas for 2024? The most affordable place to live in Arkansas is El Dorado.
Some of Arkansas’ most affordable cities are also Arkansas’ top 50 biggest cities. You can’t blame the good people of Arkansas for wanting to move to where the cost of living is the lowest.
Check out some more reading about Arkansas and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Arkansas For 2024
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Population: 17,606
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 77
Median Income: $46,869
Median Home Price: $122,597
Median Rent: $780
The cultural and business center of south-central Arkansas, El Dorado ranks as the cheapest city to live in the state.
El Dorado might not be a land of untold riches like in the legends, but if you’re a lover of the arts, this city is as good as gold. Between MusicFest every year and the Murphy Arts District throughout the year, you’ll never have to wait long to catch a show in El Dorado. In any case, you’ll have plenty of money left over for tickets if you’re living in El Dorado, because residents pay the 12th smallest proportion of their income on homes statewide.
More on El Dorado: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 13,010
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 78
Median Income: $36,368
Median Home Price: $64,860
Median Rent: $754
If you’re looking for the cheapest homes on the market in Arkansas, look no further than Forrest City. You can buy a home in Forrest City for a measly $64,860. Even more importantly, residents of Forrest City enjoy the fifth best home price to income ratio in Arkansas, so you won’t have to fork over half your paycheck just to live somewhere decent. On the flip side, Forrest City is the least affordable place to rent on this list, which keeps it from a higher ranking here. In any case, you’ll never lack for things to do on a budget in Forrest City.
Forrest City is located 45 minutes west of Memphis, Tennessee.
More on Forrest City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 9,470
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 78
Median Income: $31,118
Median Home Price: $85,028
Median Rent: $759
Helena-West Helena, located in the lowlands between the Mississippi River and Crowley’s Ridge within Arkansas, offers a low cost of living that’s one the best in the West — er South.
With a median home value of $85,028, Helena-West Helena’s overall cost of living index comes in at 78, significantly cheaper than other cities in Arkansas. For those interested in history and blues music, you can visit the Delta Cultural Center or the King Biscuit Blues Festival on the cheap.
More on Helena-West Helena: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 24,351
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $40,904
Median Home Price: $107,794
Median Rent: $800
West Memphis is an affordable city notable for its proximity to the Memphis metropolitan area and the Mississippi River. The overall cost of living is 8 points better than the state average, making it one of the cheapest in the Natural State.
While we all know that West Memphis is the best Memphis, it proves the point by providing cheap access to fun things to do, like the National Civil Rights Museum or Sun Studio.
More on West Memphis: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 8,284
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $39,280
Median Home Price: $122,012
Median Rent: $801
Located in eastern Arkansas, Wynne ranks as the fifth least expensive place to live in the state. Folks in Wynne pay the 23rd smallest proportion of their income on homes statewide, thanks to a median home price of $122,012 and a median income of $39,280. And if you’re into outdoors activities, there’s no shortage of cheap or free things to do at Village Creek State Park. Heck, if your commute takes you along Crowley’s Ridge Scenic Parkway, you won’t even have to leave the car to take in all the natural beauty on offer in Wynne.
More on Wynne: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 6,980
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $43,608
Median Home Price: $148,958
Median Rent: $657
Morrilton presents an affordable living option if you want to move to Arkansas. With an overall cost of living 9.2% below the state average, homes only cost $148,958, and rent set at $657.
Located in Conway County, about 50 miles from Little Rock, the city has a 6,980 population and enjoys access to fishing on the Arkansas River and a short drive to Petit Jean State Park.
More on Morrilton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Abandon hope all ye who enter Morrilton, AR. Legal professionals won’t even come near Morrilton or take on any legal of any low-income person living in it though it not provable I suspect Morrilton is one Government controlled rat holes. Medical care for low income is lowest substandard that can be afforded. Drug houses prosper here as do drug dealer, money laundering operations, prostitution rings and bootleggers as well as do illegal gambling operations. The FBI avoids Morrilton on stings like Morrilton had some type of plague. Every once in a blue moon the FBI makes a stink about huge drug and not a one of them is ever from Morrilton. Obviously some massive amount of power structure not located in Morrilton protects Morrilton as well as Conway County. Morrilton is as evil, dirty ad treacherous as any small off the beaten path town can be. Perhaps one day Morrilton’s government controlled rat will be discovered and it power broken for all time to come and Conway County’s power stripped away entirely.
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Population: 6,911
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $44,492
Median Home Price: $120,733
Median Rent: $809
In the northeastern part of Arkansas, Osceola is a standout city for affordability. With an unemployment rate of 13.93%, Osceola maintains a low cost of living index at 79, indicating that residents enjoy a cost-effective lifestyle.
All of Arkansas has affordable living situations, but Osceola has particularly inexpensive grocery and service costs, based on the data.
You’ll have a one-hour drive to Memphis and local parks and hikes to choose from.
More on Osceola: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 5,409
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 79
Median Income: $39,222
Median Home Price: $92,878
Median Rent: $664
Warren is an affordable place to live in Arkansas with a cost of living index of 79. The median home value is $92,878, and the median rent is $664. The income-to-rent ratio is 59.07, making it easy to find affordable housing options.
Aside from being affordable, Warren is a great place to live. It offers a small-town feel with only 5,409 people, making it perfect for those who prefer a quieter lifestyle. The city is also the county seat of Bradley County, which means residents have access to government services and amenities. Additionally, Warren boasts a low unemployment rate of 4.41, making it easier for residents to find work.
More on Warren: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 7,383
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 80
Median Income: $37,618
Median Home Price: $114,974
Median Rent: $628
A suburb of Jonesboro, Trumann ranks as the ninth most affordable city to live in Arkansas. Folks in Trumann pay the 2smallest percentage of their income on homes statewide, so you’ll have plenty of cash left over to take advantage of all there is to do in Trumann. At $628/month, Trumann also has quite affordable rent, but remains slightly more attractive for those buying a home.
More on Trumann: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 13,276
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 81
Median Income: $45,746
Median Home Price: $73,259
Median Rent: $758
Blytheville stands in the northeast corner of Arkansas, close to the border with Tennessee. It was founded in the late 1800s, with forestry and cotton providing early economic boosts to the area. The town lies in a rural region close to the Mississippi River. As a result, Blytheville provides its 13,276 residents a rustic air and access to plenty of outdoor activities.
And Blythevillians can get these benefits at a low cost. The town represents one of the cheapest places to live in all of Arkansas.
The median income is relatively small, coming in at just $45,746. However, it’s easy to stretch a dollar in the area. The median home price comes in at $73,259. At the same time, rents in the area have a median value of $758. The general cost of living is less than 80% of the U.S. average.
Yes, Blytheville is an affordable place to raise a family. But there are challenges as well. Along with the economic troubles, the area suffers a high crime rate, more than 170% above the national standard.
More on Blytheville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Im from Blytheville Arkansas and it is an okay town. It can be dangerous every blue moon.
Cheapest places to live in Arkansas FAQs
The county in Arkansas with the lowest cost of living is Monroe County. The average living wage in Monroe County is $75,058 according to MIT data. Monroe County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Arkansas as a whole. Childcare costs $8,062 a year in Monroe County for two children compared to the Arkansas average of $13,717. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $7,848 per year in Monroe County compared to $9,037 on average in Arkansas.
The cost of living in Arkansas is 7.7% lower than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Arkansas is $82,857 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Arkansas household is $49,475.
The cheapest housing market in Arkansas is Forrest City. The average home value in Forrest City is $67,500, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Arkansas is $133,600, almost 2.0 times higher than Forrest City.
Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Natural State for 2024
Determining affordability for places in Arkansas boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 for Arkansas using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Arkansas to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 64 places in Arkansas that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in Arkansas with the lowest cost of living according to the data is El Dorado.
We updated this article for 2024. This report reflects our tenth time ranking the cheapest places to live in Arkansas.
Arkansas Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas for 2024, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in Arkansas.
The cheapest cities in Arkansas are El Dorado, Forrest City, Helena-West Helena, West Memphis, Wynne, Morrilton, Osceola, Warren, Trumann, and Blytheville.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in Arkansas according to the data:
- Cave Springs
- Maumelle
- Bentonville
For more Arkansas reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Arkansas
- Best Places To Buy A House In Arkansas
- Worst Places To Live In Arkansas
Cheapest Places To Live In Arkansas
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Dorado | 17,606 | 77 | $46,869 | $122,597 | $780 |
| 2 | Forrest City | 13,010 | 78 | $36,368 | $64,860 | $754 |
| 3 | Helena-West Helena | 9,470 | 78 | $31,118 | $85,028 | $759 |
| 4 | West Memphis | 24,351 | 79 | $40,904 | $107,794 | $800 |
| 5 | Wynne | 8,284 | 79 | $39,280 | $122,012 | $801 |
| 6 | Morrilton | 6,980 | 79 | $43,608 | $148,958 | $657 |
| 7 | Osceola | 6,911 | 79 | $44,492 | $120,733 | $809 |
| 8 | Warren | 5,409 | 79 | $39,222 | $92,878 | $664 |
| 9 | Trumann | 7,383 | 80 | $37,618 | $114,974 | $628 |
| 10 | Blytheville | 13,276 | 81 | $45,746 | $73,259 | $758 |
| 11 | Harrison | 13,154 | 81 | $39,677 | $208,474 | $677 |
| 12 | Malvern | 10,859 | 81 | $37,210 | $126,080 | $712 |
| 13 | De Queen | 6,132 | 81 | $55,207 | $150,208 | $677 |
| 14 | Mena | 5,605 | 81 | $53,288 | $171,634 | $736 |
| 15 | Walnut Ridge | 5,411 | 81 | $45,950 | $116,425 | $704 |
| 16 | Pocahontas | 7,384 | 82 | $38,912 | $133,708 | $715 |
| 17 | Russellville | 28,946 | 83 | $43,669 | $190,613 | $784 |
| 18 | Mountain Home | 12,876 | 83 | $42,281 | $215,052 | $799 |
| 19 | Camden | 10,587 | 83 | $48,302 | $95,543 | $704 |
| 20 | Clarksville | 9,453 | 83 | $35,911 | $164,172 | $713 |
| 21 | Monticello | 8,443 | 83 | $34,176 | $153,792 | $683 |
| 22 | Newport | 7,984 | 83 | $32,440 | $75,772 | $609 |
| 23 | Batesville | 11,163 | 84 | $52,304 | $153,111 | $757 |
| 24 | Magnolia | 11,044 | 84 | $43,000 | $133,915 | $674 |
| 25 | Hope | 8,921 | 84 | $43,018 | $74,003 | $759 |
| 26 | Heber Springs | 7,066 | 84 | $50,472 | $233,693 | $863 |
| 27 | Berryville | 5,667 | 84 | $43,388 | $203,546 | $704 |
| 28 | Pine Bluff | 41,172 | 85 | $39,411 | $79,285 | $819 |
| 29 | Van Buren | 23,398 | 85 | $56,493 | $182,864 | $794 |
| 30 | Fort Smith | 89,315 | 86 | $50,799 | $172,064 | $798 |
| 31 | Conway | 65,159 | 86 | $54,036 | $233,335 | $942 |
| 32 | Paragould | 29,690 | 86 | $54,732 | $178,485 | $846 |
| 33 | Searcy | 22,961 | 86 | $45,588 | $196,057 | $821 |
| 34 | Siloam Springs | 17,632 | 86 | $59,911 | $262,203 | $892 |
| 35 | Greenbrier | 5,755 | 86 | $57,234 | $248,641 | $952 |
| 36 | Texarkana | 29,404 | 87 | $45,233 | $157,796 | $837 |
| 37 | Arkadelphia | 10,354 | 87 | $37,634 | $162,200 | $695 |
| 38 | Stuttgart | 8,189 | 87 | $59,124 | $104,107 | $759 |
| 39 | Hot Springs | 38,025 | 89 | $46,537 | $237,324 | $857 |
| 40 | Marion | 13,635 | 89 | $77,350 | $215,239 | $1,009 |
| 41 | Lowell | 10,005 | 89 | $83,827 | $313,249 | $995 |
| 42 | Greenwood | 9,544 | 89 | $63,232 | $213,853 | $816 |
| 43 | Prairie Grove | 7,131 | 89 | $56,541 | $288,545 | $885 |
| 44 | Alma | 5,837 | 89 | $46,273 | $221,560 | $802 |
| 45 | North Little Rock | 64,454 | 90 | $49,166 | $148,544 | $995 |
| 46 | Springdale | 86,705 | 91 | $59,985 | $300,208 | $920 |
| 47 | Jonesboro | 78,379 | 91 | $51,124 | $211,729 | $871 |
| 48 | Rogers | 69,961 | 91 | $78,075 | $333,982 | $1,113 |
| 49 | Pea Ridge | 6,851 | 91 | $93,113 | $307,676 | $1,380 |
| 50 | Jacksonville | 29,332 | 92 | $47,121 | $149,179 | $876 |
| 51 | Centerton | 18,655 | 92 | $104,464 | $321,706 | $1,261 |
| 52 | Beebe | 8,447 | 92 | $55,072 | $194,728 | $757 |
| 53 | Ward | 6,149 | 92 | $74,688 | $191,278 | $1,096 |
| 54 | White Hall | 5,559 | 92 | $85,227 | $135,166 | $881 |
| 55 | Benton | 35,318 | 93 | $66,868 | $223,530 | $955 |
| 56 | Sherwood | 32,715 | 93 | $74,917 | $213,321 | $972 |
| 57 | Cabot | 26,543 | 94 | $69,094 | $231,016 | $953 |
| 58 | Little Rock | 202,218 | 95 | $58,697 | $201,487 | $1,006 |
| 59 | Fayetteville | 95,022 | 95 | $56,881 | $342,122 | $944 |
| 60 | Farmington | 7,991 | 95 | $83,783 | $307,212 | $1,093 |
| 61 | Bryant | 20,750 | 96 | $76,282 | $237,351 | $932 |
| 62 | Bentonville | 54,513 | 98 | $99,074 | $438,707 | $1,151 |
| 63 | Maumelle | 19,183 | 106 | $89,880 | $293,632 | $976 |
| 64 | Cave Springs | 5,521 | 106 | $143,393 | $496,461 | $2,142 |