Arkansas attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: affordable cost of living, tax benefits, and quality education. You can’t go wrong with the Natural State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $200,000. Helena- West Helena’s cost of living is 34.1% lower than the national average, and Forrest City is 33.5% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Hope’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $78K. Meanwhile, Arkadelphia offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $170,371.
Cheapest Places to Live in Arkansas in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Helena-West Helena | $39,167 | $500 | 34.1% lower ⬇️ | $31,118 | 8,670 |
| 2. Forrest City | $63,053 | $1,000 | 33.5% lower ⬇️ | $36,368 | 12,490 |
| 3. Blytheville | $76,306 | $1,350 | 32.6% lower ⬇️ | $45,746 | 12,594 |
| 4. Hope | $80,537 | $550 | 33.2% lower ⬇️ | $43,018 | 8,558 |
| 5. Camden | $101,184 | $1,500 | 30.8% lower ⬇️ | $48,302 | 10,165 |
| 6. West Memphis | $111,612 | $745 | 24.1% lower ⬇️ | $40,904 | 23,825 |
| 7. El Dorado | $127,824 | $950 | 32% lower ⬇️ | $46,869 | 16,869 |
| 8. Conway | $242,403 | $1,400 | 18.1% lower ⬇️ | $54,036 | 69,580 |
| 9. Fort Smith | $181,188 | $1,050 | 23.4% lower ⬇️ | $50,799 | 89,770 |
| 10. Arkadelphia | $169,592 | $750 | 29.8% lower ⬇️ | $37,634 | 10,255 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Arkansas
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Natural State:
#1 Helena-West Helena
- Median house rent is $500.
- Median home value of Helena-West Helena is $39,167.
- Cost of living in Helena-West Helena is 34.1% cheaper than the national average.
With housing costs 74% lower than the national average, Helena-West Helena is an ideal option for homebuyers. To determine the value of your dream home, you can use a free home worth estimator. Besides this, the city boasts a thriving job market with top employers like Norac Inc. and Hoffinger Industries.
» Helena-West Helena Homes for Sale: Explore properties in the cheapest place to live in Arkansas.
#2 Forrest City
- Median house rent is $1,000.
- Median home value of Forrest City is $63,053.
- Cost of living in Forrest City is 33.5% cheaper than the national average.
Forrest City is one of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas, with groceries costs at 8.4% and healthcare costs at 8.7% lower than the national average. In addition, you can enjoy fishing trips at Arkabutla Lake, a famous recreation spot in the city.
» Forrest City Homes for Sale: Browse thousands of homes in this beautiful city.
#3 Blytheville
- Median house rent is $1,350.
- Median home value of Blytheville is $76,306.
- Cost of living in Blytheville is 32.6% cheaper than the national average.
Located on the Mississippi Flyway bird migration path, Blytheville Transportation costs are 34.4% lower than the national average. This historic city is steeped in cotton industry heritage and has shaped the local economy by providing employment opportunities.
» Blytheville Homes for Sale: Find homes in the cheapest city to live in Arkansas.
#4 Hope
- Median house rent is $550.
- Median home value of Hope is $78,510.
- Cost of living in Hope is 33.2% cheaper than the national average.
With healthcare costs being 6.1% below the national average, Hope is an ideal city for retirees. The cost of living is also cheaper than other cities. Besides this, key industries in the area include the processing of poultry, the production of bakery goods, and steel joists manufacturing.
» Hope Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cheapest cities in AR.
#5 Camden
- Median house rent is $1,500.
- Median home value of Camden is $99,204.
- Cost of living in Camden is 30.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Camden, AR: 71701
Camden referred to as the ‘Queen City,’ and is one of the most affordable cities to live in AR. Camden’s low unemployment rate of 4.0% is fueled by a strong job market. Along with this, the city also offers affordable healthcare at 7.4% and groceries at 8.5% lower than the US rates.
» Camden Homes for Sale: Browse homes in one of the cheapest places in Arkansas to live.
#6 West Memphis
- Median house rent is $745.
- Median home value of West Memphis is $108,684.
- Cost of living in West Memphis is 24.1% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in West Memphis, AR: 71701
With an average household income of $40,904, you can comfortably live in West Memphis. In addition, the housing costs are 77.3% lower than the US average, making it ideal for you to buy a house in Arkansas. Moreover, Wonder City has popular recreational spots such as Ducks Unlimited Park and Loretta Nash Fine Art.
» West Memphis Homes for Sale: Find homes in one of the cities with the most affordable housing in Arkansas.
#7 El Dorado
- Median house rent is $950.
- Median home value of El Dorado is $128,346.
- Cost of living in El Dorado is 32% cheaper than the national average.
El Dorado’s annual expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $2,975. This makes it an affordable option across the country. El Dorado is recognized for its points of interest, including Hot Springs National Park. Moreover, the city is home to big companies like Murphy USA and Nexans AmerCable.
» El Dorado Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in one of the cheapest places to live in AR.
#8 Conway
- Median house rent is $1,400.
- Median home value of Conway is $240,856.
- Cost of living in Conway is 18.1% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in Conway, AR: 72032 | 72034
Conway is one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas with 10.84% population growth since 2020. It offers a vibrant job market with opportunities in various sectors. Major employers include Hewlett-Packard and Conway Regional Health System. Additionally, housing costs in Conway are 38.6% lower than the state average.
» Conway Homes for Sale: Explore homes in the cheapest city in Arkansas.
#9 Fort Smith
- Median house rent is $1,050.
- Median home value of Fort Smith is $177,699.
- Cost of living in Fort Smith is 23.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Fort Smith, AR: 72916 | 72903 | 72901
Fort Smith has a rich history and offers outdoor adventures for its residents. You can also enjoy sunset views from the Ferris wheel or explore parks like Creekmore. The city is known for its thriving technology sector, ABB Motors and Drives US is one of the leading firms in the area.
» Fort Smith Homes for Sale: Find cheap real estate in Arkansas to live.
#10 Arkadelphia
- Median house rent is $750.
- Median home value of Arkadelphia is $170,371.
- Cost of living in Arkadelphia is 29.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in Arkadelphia, AR: 32141 | 32132
Living expenses in Arkadelphia are 29.8% lower than the national average. Healthcare costs are also 8.6% lower, making it one of the most inexpensive cities in AR. The cost of groceries can vary in Arkadelphia. Also, the city has top major employers such as Southern Ban and Henderson State University that offer ample of job opportunities for its residents.
» Arkadelphia Homes for Sale: Find cheap places to live in Arkansas.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Arkansas?
If you want to move to Arkansas, you will find cheap homes in cities like Helena-West Helena, Forrest City, and Blytheville. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other Arkansas cities.
Cities like Conway and Fort Smith are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Arkansas.
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Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Arkansas, we analyzed all the regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the least expensive place to live in Arkansas?
The cheapest place to live in Arkansas is Helena-West Helena. It offers affordable transport, which is 32.1% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Arkansas: Find out the other cheapest places to live in Arkansas.
Is Arkansas cheap to live?
Yes, it is. The median home value is $207,627. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing in the US with low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Where is the best place to live in Arkansas?
The best place to live in Arkansas is Fayetteville, followed by Bentonville, Cave Springs, Bella Vista, Centerton, Hillcrest, and Rogers.
Which Arkansas city has the lowest cost of living?
Helena-West Helena has the lowest cost of living, which is 34.1% and 15% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
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