What to Know About the Cost of Living in Arkansas
The cost of living in Arkansas is favorable compared to the national average, whether you’re comparing the price of real estate or groceries. Many cities across the state offer an affordable cost of living, and residents are benefiting as a result.
Ahead, hear from three locals who speak to the cost of living in Arkansas, in general, and in their individual communities.
Josh Buchfink — Fort Smith, AR
Josh Buchfink, the public relations manager for the City of Fort Smith, moved to the Fort Smith area in 2011 and later lived in Fort Worth, TX, and northwest Arkansas. In 2021, he returned to Fort Smith for its affordability and the slower pace of life. He and his wife thought it would be a great place to raise their three sons, ages 4, 8 and 10.
Josh Buchfink
Public Relations Manager
City of Fort Smith
What are your favorite indoor and outdoor activities in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith has several museums, and they’re all kid friendly. The Fort Smith National Historic Site is close by, and we have the Fort Smith Museum of History and Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, which has projects every Saturday for families. The Fort Kids Children’s Museum will open soon.
For outdoor activities, we have tons of parks here in Fort Smith. Carol Ann Cross Park has a fishing pond and a walking trail that leads to an overlook of the Arkansas River. John Bell Jr. Park is a brand-new inclusive park, and there’s Creekmore Park, where they’re building a swimming pool, and it has a huge playground, a toddler-designated playground, a miniature train that goes around the park, walking trails and a mini-golf course.
Why would you recommend people move to Fort Smith?
The affordability is a big reason to move here. I oversee a program called Make My Move, which incentivizes remote workers to move to an area.
Fort Smith is probably one of the most affordable places to live in the U.S. right now. It’s much more affordable than other places I’ve lived, not just from a mortgage standpoint but a taxes standpoint, and that’s one of the reasons we really like being here.
(The median home price in Fort Smith was around $179,000 in March 2025, according to Zillow, about half the U.S. average.)
Hannah Rohrer — Hot Springs, AR
Hannah Rohrer grew up near Pocahontas, AR, but she wanted to live in a busier city that had more for young professionals. She’s a recent arrival to Hot Springs, where she is the communications manager for the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Hannah Rohrer
Communications Manager
Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce
What was your experience like finding and renting an apartment in Hot Springs?
I would say the apartments here run on the cheaper end for towns like this that attract a lot of tourists. I had lived in Conway, where the prices are higher because it’s a college town.
I have a roommate, and we have a two-bedroom, two-bath place that’s $1,200 total. Most places here have good amenities. The place I’m in is gated, has a pool, a gym, covered parking and a huge dog park. I think you can find a place for between $900 and $1,000, which is very affordable. It’s not like New York or someplace where you get a 20-foot room for $3,000.
(According to apartments.com, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment around 1,000 square feet was around $900 in March 2025. Zillow put the median home price in Hot Springs at around $241,000 in March 2025, about 68% of the U.S. average.)
Why would you recommend people move to Hot Springs?
Hot Springs is really great if you’re a person who doesn’t want to be in a big city or the sticks. There’s so much land here, and everything is spaced out. It’s not congested like a city, where people are stacked on top of one another, which was huge for me. No one is shoulder to shoulder; there’s breathing room here. There is a ton of stuff to do, just like in a big city. The city is geared toward older people, and places don’t stay open as late, but there’s always somewhere to go and something to do.
Ryan Stephens — Little Rock, AR
Ryan Stephens is chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber’s young professionals group called Create Little Rock. Stephens grew up in Little Rock and is a real estate agent for Engel & Völkers. He and his wife are expecting their first child in 2025.
What would be your ideal Saturday in Little Rock?
Arkansas is called “The Natural State,” and here, you’re close to nature but can also enjoy the city. We have the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts that recently underwent a massive redevelopment, offers free entry and has exciting, unexpected exhibits.
The Arkansas River Trail runs through downtown, and on a Saturday, I can hop on my bike and ride as many miles of the 24-mile loop as I want. There are lots of places to stop along the way. You can ride with a friend and go to a local brewery.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park has an amazing view when you hike up there, and they have an ice cream shop in the visitor’s center. We have great coffee shops to hang out at, and I love going to the farmers market when the weather is nice. Most of the local breweries have great patios where you can sit out and relax when the weather is nice to meet up with friends and family.
Why would you recommend people move to Little Rock?
We’re a hidden gem of a city. We have a high quality of life without the high price tag of bigger cities, but there’s a strong community feel and diverse neighborhoods. There’s a little something for everybody.
It’s very walkable and friendly, we have a great emerging food scene, and we’ve got easy access to nature and a thriving local business community. It’s a great place for people to call home, with a mix of urban and outdoor activities. We have a slower pace but with access to all the amenities. There are a lot of affordable things to do.
(Zillow put the median home price in Little Rock at around $209,000 in March 2025, about 59% of the U.S. average. A two-bedroom apartment averaging around 1,000 square feet rents for an average of $1,000 a month, according to apartments.com.)
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.
