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A good salary in Arkansas provides excellent purchasing power due to the state’s very low cost of living.
Quick Answer
| Situation | Good Salary | Comfortable Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Single, Arkansas average | $42,000-$55,000 | $32,000-$42,000 |
| Single in Little Rock | $45,000-$60,000 | $38,000-$45,000 |
| Single in Fayetteville | $50,000-$65,000 | $42,000-$50,000 |
| Family of 4 | $70,000-$90,000 | $55,000-$70,000 |
Key advantage: Arkansas’s cost of living is 14% below the national average, among the lowest in the country.
Why Arkansas Is Affordable
Arkansas benefits from:
- Very low housing costs (median home price ~$185,000)
- Low property taxes (0.62% effective rate)
- Affordable utilities and groceries
- Growing job market especially in Northwest Arkansas
Good Salary by Arkansas City
Little Rock
Little Rock is the state capital and largest city.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| Comfortable | $42,000 | $70,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $55,000+ | $90,000+ |
Median home price: ~$215,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$950/month
Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas is a booming area home to Walmart, Tyson, and J.B. Hunt headquarters.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Comfortable | $48,000 | $78,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $65,000+ | $100,000+ |
Median home price: ~$340,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$1,150/month
Fort Smith
Fort Smith offers very affordable living on the Oklahoma border.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| Comfortable | $38,000 | $62,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $50,000+ | $80,000+ |
Median home price: ~$165,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$750/month
Hot Springs
Hot Springs offers affordable resort-town living.
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to survive | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| Comfortable | $38,000 | $65,000 |
| Good lifestyle | $50,000+ | $85,000+ |
Median home price: ~$195,000
Average rent (1BR): ~$850/month
How Much House Can You Afford in Arkansas?
| Annual Salary | Max Home Price (28% rule) |
|---|---|
| $40,000 | $140,000-$160,000 |
| $55,000 | $200,000-$220,000 |
| $70,000 | $260,000-$290,000 |
| $90,000 | $340,000-$370,000 |
Arkansas vs. Other States
| State | $55K Salary Take-Home | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $45,200 | 86 |
| Texas | $46,500 | 93 |
| Oklahoma | $44,800 | 87 |
| Tennessee | $46,500 | 90 |
Arkansas offers exceptional value for your salary.
Arkansas State Income Tax
Arkansas has a progressive income tax with rates from 0% to 4.4%:
- Recent reforms have lowered the top rate from 5.5%
- First $5,000 is taxed at 0% (effective 2024+)
- Top rate of 4.4% applies to income over $24,300
Top Industries in Arkansas
- Retail (Walmart HQ) — Average salary $65,000+
- Transportation/Logistics (J.B. Hunt) — Average salary $55,000+
- Food Processing (Tyson) — Average salary $50,000+
- Healthcare — Average salary $60,000+
- Manufacturing — Average salary $48,000+
Related Guides
- What is a good salary in Oklahoma?
- What is a good salary in Missouri?
- How much house on $55K salary?
- US Income Percentile Calculator
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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