Arkansasincome tax up to 3.9%, 16th lowest property tax, median home $195K

R+28 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

B+

3.9%

Income Tax

619

Violent Crime / 100K

73.8

Life Expectancy

$195K

Median Home

$820

Childcare / Mo

Arkansas in plain English

Worth knowing before you move to Arkansas

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

What Arkansas taxes, and what it doesn't

Arkansas levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 3.9%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 4.5%, about $3,380 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 4.6%. Among the 41 states that tax income, Arkansas has the 17th lowest effective rate at $100,000 of income.

Property tax runs 0.60% of home value a year, roughly $1,170 on the state's median home of $195K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and Arkansas has the 16th lowest rate of the 50 states.

Combined state and local sales tax averages 9.46%, the 3rd highest in the country (the state portion is 6.5%).

For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.

Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.

Housing and the cost of living in Arkansas

Arkansas's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average; that is the 3rd cheapest of the 50 states.

The median home costs $195K, 36% below the national figure and the 3rd lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $970 a month.

Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $2,600 a year, flood coverage adds about $750 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,740.

Budget $130 a month for electricity and gas, $390 a month in groceries for two, $820 a month for full-time infant care.

Safety, health and schools

Violent crime is 619 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, above the median state (387); Arkansas is the 4th most violent of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 2,469 per 100,000.

Life expectancy is 73.8 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 9.4% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks Arkansas's health system 44th of 50.

Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 42nd in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.

Politics, guns and social policy

Politically, Arkansas is a solidly Republican state that went to Trump by 28 points in 2024.

On guns, no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws F.

Abortion is banned with narrow exceptions. Marijuana is medical only. Arkansas is a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $11.00 an hour.

Climate, risk and getting around

Natural disaster risk is high. The main hazards are tornado, flood. Annual average air quality index is 35 (under 50 is good).

Arkansas has no top-25 hub airport, with about 35 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.

Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.

Largest counties in Arkansas

Pulaski County Benton County Washington County Sebastian County Faulkner County Saline County Craighead County Garland County White County Lonoke County All Arkansas counties →

Ranked lists

State Profile

40/100

Arkansas will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Arkansas changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

Taxes

Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026

▾

Income Tax

Top rate reduced to 3.9% in 2024

3.9% top

Property Tax

~$1,170/yr on median home

0.6% / yr

Sales Tax

9.46% avg

Social Security

Exempt

Pension / IRA

Partial

Estate Tax

None

Inheritance Tax

None

Capital Gains

50% exemption on gains from AR assets

Taxed as income

Housing & Cost of Living

Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)

▾

Price Level vs US (BEA)

Below US average (100)

86.9

Mortgages 90+ Days Late

FHFA, latest quarter

1.4%

Cost of Living Index

National avg = 100

Median Home Price

$195,000

Median Rent (2BR)

$970/mo

Home Insurance

Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)

$2,600/yr

Flood Insurance

$750/yr

Homestead Exemption

Home equity protected from creditors

$800

Asset Protection

Weak

Homes in HOAs

Moderate HOA presence (Census ACS 2024)

12.1%

Zoning Restrictiveness

Among the least restrictive zoning (Wharton WRLURI 2018)

Permissive

Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)

2025 preemption bill (HB 1445) failed; local control.

Local Control

Crime & Safety

Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024

▾

Violent Crime Rate

Well above national avg

619 / 100K

Property Crime Rate

Near national avg

2,469 / 100K

Traffic Fatality Rate

Among the most dangerous

18.3 / 100K

Registered Sex Offenders

Among the highest registry rates (SafeHome 2025)

645 / 100K

Homeless Population

Low homelessness rate — 48% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)

90 / 100K

Healthcare

Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC

▾

State Healthcare Rank

Bottom tier

#44 of 50

Life Expectancy

73.8 yrs

Medicaid Expansion

Expanded

Uninsured Rate

9.4%

Education

Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)

▾

College Completion Rate

College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)

50%

Avg College Cost of Attendance

College Scorecard 2024

$23,027/yr

K-12 Quality Rank

Bottom 10 nationally

#42 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Available

HS Graduation Rate

Above national avg (~87%)

90.0%

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Near national avg (~16)

14.0 students/teacher

Childcare

Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022

▾

Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)

Below national avg

$820/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022

▾

Grid Carbon Intensity

Near US average (~820)

1056 lb CO₂/MWh

Avg Monthly Energy Bill

$130/mo

Electricity Rate

Below national avg (13¢)

10.4¢/kWh

Energy Mix

⚡ 8% renewable · ☀ 1% solar · 💨 0% wind

Avg Monthly Groceries

2-person household, moderate spending

$390/mo

Road Quality Rank

#22 of 50

Airports & Travel

Sources: FAA · BTS

▾

Nonstop Destinations

From state's primary airport

35+ routes

Major Hub Airport

Regional airport — connections via hub

Culture & Lifestyle

Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024

▾

Urban Population

Mix of urban and rural

57% urban

Restaurant Density

Limited dining options

360/100K

Religious Congregations

Strong religious community

280/100K

Pro Sports Teams

NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS

None

Major Venues

Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)

2 venues

Craft Breweries

1.3/100K residents — Limited

40 breweries

Craft Distilleries

20 distilleries

Live Music

Ozark folk and Americana; Bikes Blues & BBQ in Fayetteville

Decent

Transportation

Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026

▾

Car Insurance (Avg Annual)

$1,740

Traffic Fatality Rate

18.3 / 100K

Broadband Access

Below national avg

74% of households

Work From Home

State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)

87,991 workers

Social & Legal

Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026

▾

Formal Volunteering Rate

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)

28.2%

Votes in Local Elections

AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023

45.0%

Abortion Access

Near-total ban with narrow medical exceptions

Banned

LGBTQ+ Protections

Hostile

Marijuana

Medical Only

Minimum Wage

$11/hr

Right to Work

Yes

Sports Betting

Legal

Casino Gambling

Commercial casinos

Online Gambling

Illegal

State Lottery

Casinos at racetracks. Sports betting launched 2022.

Yes

Age of Consent

Sex Education

Sex ed required by state

Abstinence-only

Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs

Oaklake Trails (naturist campground)

One club

Environment & Climate

Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index

▾

Air Quality (Annual AQI)

Near national avg

Natural Disaster Risk

High

Primary Hazards

tornadoflood

Politics & Gun Laws

Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes

▾

2024 Presidential Vote

R+28

Gun Laws

Gun ControlF

2A LibertyA+

Carry Permit

No permit required

Purchase Permit Required

Carry in Bars

Allowed

Carry in Restaurants

Allowed

Carry in Places of Worship

Concealed allowed unless posted; churches prohibited without church permission.

Prohibited

Gambling

Legal

Hunting & Outdoors

Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)

▾

Public Land12% of state

Resident Deer License$35

Deer Archery SeasonOct 1 – Nov 14

CrossbowFull season

1.5 million acres of national forest open to hunting. Timber company land adds more acres. Strong deer and turkey hunting.

Arkansas Game & Fish Commission — Official Season Dates ↗

Finding nearby venues...

From r/hunting

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New Hunter and today the spot I chose was blown out

any regular deer, elk, pronghorn or moose season is in progress." First hunt this season paid off well...

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Looking to do a gator, antelope, and elk hunt. Same goes for deer season. I'm willing to trade a mouse hunt for moose or elk.. First hunt th...

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Jobs & Economy

Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS

▾

Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)

Near US average (~4.5%)

4.9%

Quits Rate (JOLTS)

Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average

2.3%

Job Market

+1% job growth · 3.2% unemployment

Moderate

Top Industries

ManufacturingRetailHealthcare

Tech Jobs

#46 of 50

Healthcare Jobs

#35 of 50

Remote Work

10% of workers

Median Household Income

$56,335

Union Membership

Among the least unionized states (BLS 2025)

2.8% of workers

Business Climate

Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings

▾

Corporate Income Tax

4.8%

LLC Formation Fee

$45 one-time

LLC Annual Fee

$150/yr

Business Climate Rank

#39 of 50

Daily Life

Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS

▾

Gas Price (Regular)

Well below avg (-0.37 vs national avg)

$2.93/gal

Consumer Fireworks

Consumer fireworks broadly legal

Legal

Motorcycle Helmet Law

Required under 21 (IIHS 2026)

Age-Limited

Weather & Natural Risks

Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI

▾

Winter Severity

Avg January high: 49°F

Mild

Summer Heat

Hot summers

92°F avg July

Annual Rainfall

50" / yr

Tornado Risk

High

Hurricane Risk

Low

Wildfire Risk

Low

Flood Risk

Moderate

Natural Hazards

Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023

▾

58HIGH danger

Brown recluse zoneArmadillo leprosy vectorTornado alleyCottonmouth rivers

Venomous Snakes

High

Spider Hazard

Brown Recluse Zone

Scorpions

Low

Hurricane Risk

Moderate

Tornado Risk

High

Wildfire Risk

Low

Earthquake Risk

Moderate

Armadillo Leprosy Risk

High

Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗

Veteran Benefits

Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation

▾

Veteran-Friendly Score

8.1% of state population are veterans

92/100

Property Tax Exemption

100% disabled: full exemption

Full (disabled)

Military Retirement Pay

Tax Exempt

Active Duty Pay

Tax Exempt

VA Facilities Access

Adequate

Notable Benefits

Military retirement fully exempt

Explore Arkansas counties

Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county

Explore Counties

See your full cost of living in Arkansas

Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.

Calculate

Compare Similar States

AR vs KY

Arkansas vs Kentucky

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Arkansas vs Kansas

COL 85 vs 86 · 3.9% vs 5.7% income tax

Full comparison →

AR vs MO

Arkansas vs Missouri

COL 85 vs 86 · 3.9% vs 4.7% income tax

Full comparison →

AR vs AL

Arkansas vs Alabama

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Trending in Arkansas

Democrats see rare signs of hope in solidly red Arkansas’ midterms - Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas Advocate · Sep 8

Affordable housing still lacking for US’ poorest - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Sep 8

The LEARNSing Curve: Navigating Arkansas Education Law - jdsupra.com

jdsupra.com · Sep 8

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee visits Palestinian Americans - thv11.com

thv11.com · Sep 7

House Passes Bill to Accelerate Lithium Mining and Processing in South Arkansas - KVOM 101.7

KVOM 101.7 · Sep 7

What Residents Say

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Yes, the cost of living in blue states tends to be slightly higher, but it shouldn't take more than an 8th grade education to figure out why ......

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I'm considering leaving FL and am looking at different options across the SE. Can you tell me about Arkansas? Is it growing? Stable? Declining? ......

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The job I would take pays 63,000 before taxes and our monthy bills come to ~1200 with no living expenses. We would get somewhere around 3000- ......

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Genuinely curious what Arkansans think Arkansas fares when compared to its neighbors (Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi), ......

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What does Arkansas do right?

We’ve have got a lot of great things in this state. What are your favorites?...

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Arkansas will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.

One email when Arkansas changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.

Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.