Living in Arkansas

#32 in population growth

Should you move to Arkansas?

Arkansas, known as the Natural State, offers a blend of serene landscapes, bustling cities, and a low cost of living. With its dense forests, hot springs, rivers, and lakes, Arkansas is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Arkansas’s economy has a robust agricultural sector, particularly in poultry and rice, but it’s also home to significant retail, logistics, and aerospace industries. Notably, Bentonville is the world headquarters of Walmart, and Little Rock has a burgeoning tech scene.

Life in Arkansas offers a balanced blend of outdoor activities and cultural experiences. Whether it’s hiking in the stunning Ozark National Forest, soaking in the thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park, or enjoying the vibrant food and music scene in Little Rock, there’s always something to do. Plus, the state’s location in the Central U.S. makes travel to both coasts relatively easy.

The state takes pride in its educational institutions, with the University of Arkansas known for programs in business, law, and creative writing. The Walton family, of Walmart fame, have also made significant contributions to education in the state, notably in Bentonville.

If you’re looking for a state offering a relaxed lifestyle, plenty of outdoor activities, a robust economy, and affordable living, Arkansas could be your perfect fit. Just be prepared for hot, humid summers and an occasional tornado warning.

#33 in population

Population

3,045,637

National Avg 6,652,315

#17 in population

Population Per Square Mile

58

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Arkansas Score?

A
Home Affordability
A
Cost of Living
C
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Arkansas

Climate

How Does Arkansas Compare?

#11
in Sunny Days
#10
in Annual Rainfall
#39
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#47

How Does Arkansas Compare?

#47
in Healthcare
#45
in Available Beds
#38
in Doctors Per Resident

2

Children's Hospitals

1

VA Medical Centers

16

VA Clinics

Arkansas Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#11

How Does Arkansas Compare?

#11
in Cost of Living
#18
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#8
in Living Wage

Arkansas State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Arkansas? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Arkansas

#44

Arkansas School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #43 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

55%

Proficient or Above

19%

Ranked #41 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

64%

Proficient or Above

26%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
87.7%
Bachelors Degree
24.3%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Arkansas

State Capital

Little Rock

Area Codes

327, 479, 501, 870

Time Zone

Central Time Zone

Number of Counties

75

Land Area (square miles)

51,993

Motto

Regnat populus (The people rule)

State Bird

Mockingbird

Housing

#3
#3 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$145,300

National $440,300

#2 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$803

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$373

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

1,158,460

Persons Per Household

2.53

Rent vs Own

Own 66.1%
Rent 33.9%

Economy

#48 in household income

Median Household Income

52,123

National $70,784

#46 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
58.1%
Poverty Rate
16.3%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$19,845,377

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$5,484,783

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$8,011,461

Per Capita Retail Sales

13,374

Counties

Diversity

#28
White alone
78.5%
Black or African American alone
15.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
1.1%
Asian alone
1.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.5%
Two or More Races
2.4%
Hispanic or Latino
8.6%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
71%

Foreign Born Persons

4.9%

Veterans

186175

Persons Under 5 years
5.9%
Persons Under 18 years
22.9%
Persons 65 years and over
17.8%

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