Little Rock, AR Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Little Rock, AR Summary

Cost of living in Little Rock research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Little Rock is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Arkansas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Little Rock is 97, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Little Rock is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • Little Rock ranks as the #56 cheapest in Arkansas out of 69.

  • Little Rock ranks as the #2,245 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Little Rock is $214,347.

  • The median income in Little Rock is $60,583.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
97
Little Rock's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Little Rock, AR?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Little Rock has an overall cost of living index of 97, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Arkansas, Little Rock has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Arkansas's index of 85.

The standard of living in Little Rock ranks as #56 most affordable out of the 69 places we measured in Arkansas. By definition, that implies Little Rock ranks as the #13 most expensive place in the Natural State.

For more reading on life in Little Rock, check out:

56 out of 69
In Arkansas
2,245 out of 6,489
In America

Little Rock Cost Of Living Vs. Arkansas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Little Rock. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Little Rock is 108.

  • The Groceries index in Little Rock is 96.

  • The Health index in Little Rock is 88.

  • The Housing index in Little Rock is 93.

  • The Transportation index in Little Rock is 90.

  • The Utilities index in Little Rock is 95.

Living Expense Little Rock Arkansas National Average
Overall 97 85 100
Services 108 99 100
Groceries 96 95 100
Health 88 89 100
Housing 93 65 100
Transportation 90 90 100
Utilities 95 93 100
For more reading on cost of living around Arkansas, check out:
Little Rock Cost of Living Vs. AR

Little Rock, AR Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Arkansas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Little Rock is $214,347.

  • The Median Rent in Little Rock is $1,067.

  • The Median Income in Little Rock is $60,583.

  • The Home Value To Income in Little Rock is 3.5x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Little Rock is 0.21x.

Statistic Little Rock Arkansas United States
Median Home Value $214,347 $218,895 $303,400
Median Rent $1,067 $914 $1,348
Median Income $60,583 $58,773 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.5x 3.7x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.21x 0.19x 0.21x
$214,347
Median Home Value
$1,067
Median Rent
$60,583
Median Income

Little Rock, AR Costs By Category

Detailed Little Rock Services Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Little Rock Arkansas
Shampoo $1.17 $1.28
Movie $13.35 $12.13
Bowling $15.56 $18
Haircut $28.72 $24.26
Beauty Salon $47.61 $45.56

Detailed Little Rock Groceries Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Little Rock Arkansas
Ground Beef $5.76 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.36 $1.57
Milk $4.65 $4.67
Potatoes $5.31 $4.93
Pizza $11.2 $12.09
Beer $10.24 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.61 $3.7

Detailed Little Rock Health Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Little Rock Arkansas
Optometrist $115.17 $125.68
Doctor $132.33 $135.78
Dentist $81.53 $113.29

Detailed Little Rock Transportation Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Little Rock Arkansas
Gasoline $3.05 $3.46
Tire Balancing $53.11 $59.92

Detailed Little Rock Utilities Costs Vs. Arkansas

Item Little Rock Arkansas
All Electricity $166.99 $193.99
Phone $205.18 $192.25

Little Rock SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
8
Affordability
6
Diversity
9.5
Safety
2
Amenities
9
Education
8.5
Commute
9

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Little Rock

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Little Rock. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • North Little Rock, AR has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Little Rock.

  • Benton, AR has a cost of living index of 95, 1.0x Little Rock.

  • Sherwood, AR has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Little Rock.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Little Rock
North Little Rock, AR 64,504 96 1.0x
Benton, AR 35,954 95 1.0x
Sherwood, AR 32,915 97 1.0x
Jacksonville, AR 29,285 94 1.0x
Bryant, AR 21,125 94 1.0x
Maumelle, AR 19,286 105 1.1x
East End, AR 6,344 95 1.0x

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