Planning your move to the Natural State? You’re not alone! More than 86,375 people are moving to Arkansas, making it the #5 state for top inbound movers. With this growth, Arkansas’ population has hit 3.06 million in 2024.
Arkansas hosts 4 Fortune 500 companies—Walmart and Tyson Foods—and has a strong job market. Living costs are also lower in the Natural State, and can average up to $2,910. Additionally, the state’s pleasant climate appeals to potential movers too.
3 Reasons to Move to Arkansas
Arkansas is one of the favorite relocation destinations for Americans. Here are three reasons to move to AR:
| # | Reasons to Move to AR | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cost of Living | The average cost of living in Arkansas is 22.5% lower than the national average. |
| 2. | Employment | The Natural State aims to add 124,387 new jobs by 2030 across different sectors. |
| 3. | Tax Benefits | The state of Arkansas fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax. |
1. Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in Arkansas is 22.5% lower than the national average. It’s an attractive option compared to popular states like California and New York, where living costs are 38% and 26% above the national average.
Here’s a breakdown of monthly expenses in Arkansas’ popular cities:
| City | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Public Transport | Utilities | Food |
| Little Rock | $240,000 | $1,046 | $51.8 | $234.51 | $510 |
| Fayetteville | $368,650 | $1,739 | $39.8 | $176.39 | $566 |
| Fort Smith | $206,000 | $827 | $37.6 | $199.35 | $570 |
| Jonesboro | $195,912 | $1,050 | $41.2 | $216.67 | $461 |
2. Employment Opportunities
Arkansas’ robust economy offers various employment opportunities across several industries. The Natural State aims to add 124,387 new jobs by the year 2030.
- Manufacturing: This sector is set to add 14,340 jobs, with major employers including Munro Shoes and George’s.
- Service-Based: This sector is set to see the highest growth, adding 114,345 new jobs. Leading employers include Cognizant, Deloitte, and Amazon.
- Food Processing: This sector is projected to add 21,219 new jobs. There is a high demand for restaurant cooks, a role which is expected to grow by 51.7%. Tyson Foods and Simmons Foods are top employers in this industry.
- Healthcare: This sector is expected to grow by 11,271 jobs by 2030. ‘Nurse practitioners’ is the fastest-growing role with a projected growth of 54%. Key roles also include occupational therapy assistants, speech pathologists, and operations research analysts.
3. Tax Benefits
The Natural State has recently passed a bill that has reduced the income tax rate from 4.3% to 3.9% and the corporate tax rate to 4.3%. In addition, Arkansas fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax. Moreover, it provides a $6,000 exemption on retirement income, such as pensions and IRAs.
Arkansas also has one of the lowest property taxes in the US at 0.62%, alongside a homestead credit worth up to $375. Retirees and disabled residents over 65 can also qualify for a property tax “freeze” to lock in their home’s assessed value.
Cost of Moving to Arkansas 💲
There are additional costs involved in moving from one state to another. Here’s a breakdown of costs you may incur while relocating to AR:
1. Moving Costs ≈ $229 to $2,993
Moving to Arkansas involves several costs, including the costs involved in moving your belongings.
- Arkansas moving company typically costs $94 per hour. However, this figure depends entirely on your belongings and the distance traveled.
- If you want to DIY your move, renting a truck can be a better option. The average rent of a mid-size moving truck with a load capacity of 4,000-6,000 pounds ranges between $40 and $80 per day.
- 👉 Tip: Moving can be expensive, especially if you are selling your home before you move. In this case, you can use a Flat Fee MLS company to save on listing agent commissions. This way, you can have additional cash when you move to Arkansas.
2. Utility Expenses ≈ $400 to $500 Per Month
Apart from moving and housing costs, you will have to incur utility expenses when migrating to Arkansas.
- When relocating to Arkansas, you must set up utilities like gas, electricity, water, etc. The average utility bill in AR is around $404/month.
- You will have to register your vehicle in Arkansas. The first-time registration cost of a passenger vehicle in AR ranges from $17 to $30. A standard title fee is $10.
3. Housing Costs
Housing costs in the Natural State can vary depending on your location.
- In popular cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Jonesboro, the average rent ranges between $1,000 and $2,000.
- However, if you plan to buy, make sure you find cheap houses for sale in Arkansas in your budget. Popular neighborhoods like Bentonville have a median home price of $488K. On the other hand, the average cost of a home in small cities like Camden is $149K.
4 Tips for a Seamless Move to Arkansas ✅
Moving to a new place can be tough. Here are some tips to help you make a smooth transition.
- Research Cities and Neighborhoods: It’s important to research the area you want to live in. You must know if your home is in the city or suburbs. Find out where the nearby schools, hospitals, coffee shops, or restaurants are.
- Find the Living Costs: Your living costs will change once you migrate. Before moving to AR, get an estimate of the basic living expenses in your desired location.
- Visit the Neighborhood: Once you’ve decided where you want to live. You must visit that Arkansas neighborhood in person and see what you feel about the area.
- Meet Your Neighbors: Connect with your neighbors and socialize. Local Facebook groups can be the best way to meet your neighbors.
