What is the cost of living in West Memphis, AR?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, West Memphis has an overall cost of living index of 85, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Arkansas, West Memphis has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Arkansas's index of 85.
The standard of living in West Memphis ranks as #21 most affordable out of the 70 places we measured in Arkansas. By definition, that implies West Memphis ranks as the #49 most expensive place in the Natural State.
For more reading on life in West Memphis, check out:
West Memphis Cost Of Living Vs. Arkansas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in West Memphis. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in West Memphis is 102.
The Groceries index in West Memphis is 98.
The Health index in West Memphis is 53.
The Housing index in West Memphis is 103.
The Transportation index in West Memphis is 100.
The Utilities index in West Memphis is 103.
| Living Expense | West Memphis | Arkansas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 85 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Health | 53 | 68 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 92 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 92 | 100 |
West Memphis Cost Of Living Compared To Arkansas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Arkansas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in West Memphis Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
West Memphis, 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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in West Memphis is $131,756.
The Median Rent in West Memphis is $870.
The Median Income in West Memphis is $42,674.
The Home Value To Income in West Memphis is 3.1x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in West Memphis is 0.24x.
| Statistic | West Memphis | Arkansas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $131,756 | $222,050 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $870 | $947 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $42,674 | $60,773 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.1x | 3.7x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.24x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
West Memphis, AR Costs By Category
Detailed West Memphis Services costs vs. Arkansas
| Item | West Memphis | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.11 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $11.99 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $13.75 | $18 |
| Haircut | $26.94 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $41.92 | $45.56 |
Detailed West Memphis Groceries costs vs. Arkansas
| Item | West Memphis | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.1 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.46 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.71 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.15 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $10.66 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.95 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.62 | $3.7 |
Detailed West Memphis Health costs vs. Arkansas
| Item | West Memphis | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $77.39 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $124.94 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $91.51 | $113.29 |
Detailed West Memphis Transportation costs vs. Arkansas
| Item | West Memphis | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.14 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $55.67 | $59.92 |
Detailed West Memphis Utilities costs vs. Arkansas
| Item | West Memphis | Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $163.38 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $192.72 | $192.25 |
West Memphis SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around West Memphis
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around West Memphis. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x West Memphis.
Bartlett, TN has a cost of living index of 102, 1.2x West Memphis.
Southaven, MS has a cost of living index of 95, 1.1x West Memphis.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. West Memphis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 618,980 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Bartlett, TN | 56,876 | 102 | 1.2x |
| Southaven, MS | 56,226 | 95 | 1.1x |
| Collierville, TN | 51,515 | 118 | 1.4x |
| Olive Branch, MS | 47,019 | 103 | 1.2x |
| Germantown, TN | 40,673 | 121 | 1.4x |
| Horn Lake, MS | 26,647 | 89 | 1.0x |
| Arlington, TN | 15,205 | 115 | 1.4x |
| Marion, AR | 13,623 | 97 | 1.1x |
| Atoka, TN | 10,385 | 103 | 1.2x |
