California
High tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 5 categories
Arkansas
Moderate tax burden · COL index 85
Wins 7 categories
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Arkansas's 3.9%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 67% higher than Arkansas (index 85). The median home in California costs $790K vs $195K in Arkansas. Politically, Arkansas voted Republican in 2024 (R+28.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
5
California
7
Arkansas
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Why are Californians moving to Arkansas?
Overall, Arkansas is 10–12% more affordable than the U.S. average. Housing costs are roughly 20–30% below the national average. People from California, Texas, New York, and Florida often move here after seeing home prices and insurance costs in their previous states skyrocket.
What is the downfall of living in Arkansas?
What is the cost of living difference between California and Arkansas?
Overall cost of living in San Francisco, CA is 69.0% higher than in Bentonville, AR. The average listing price for a home in San Francisco, CA is $1,373,528, which is 163.1% higher than Bentonville, AR. The average cost of groceries in San Francisco, CA is 21.8% higher than Bentonville, AR.
What are the pros and cons of living in Arkansas?