California
Moderate tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 7 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
7
California
7
Arkansas
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Why are Californians moving to Arkansas?
Quick Answer: Moving from California to Arkansas Most California families moving to Central Arkansas save $3,500–$5,000 per month on housing, taxes, groceries, and insurance combined. Arkansas state income tax tops out at 3.9% vs California's 13.3%. Military retirement pay is 100% exempt from Arkansas state income tax.
What are the drawbacks of living in Arkansas?
Can you live comfortably on $70,000 a year in California?
Is Arkansas cheaper than California?
California is 37.3% more expensive than Arkansas. The cost of housing, childcare, transportation, entertainment and sports, groceries, and restaurants in California are more expensive than in Arkansas.