Arkansas is known as the natural state for a good reason.
Between the Ozarks and Hot Springs, being here makes you want to get outside.
Who wouldn’t want to go explore with so much greenery?
You might get so enthused by the outdoor spaces that moving to Arkansas might be attractive.
Don’t let your dream of wide-open spaces be thrown off by moving costs.
Arkansas is a budget-friendly place to live.
Here, we’re going to explore 10 cities across the state that will make living here easy on the bank.
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Arkansas
1. Helena
Helena has an interesting history.
A century ago, it used to be a well-to-do area full of big, antebellum-style homes.
As many places like this often went through, much of the population dissipated as jobs drew the youth toward city life.
What was left behind were beautiful homes that eventually fell apart.
Some were kept up and there are a handful on the register of historic homes.
Want to live in one?
They are rented out at prices under market value.
Not being from Arkansas or even the area might have you jumping on before even going to see the home in person.
The deals are so enticing because what the homeowners leave out is the crime rate.
Financial collapse happened, and it led many citizens to crimes.
Before moving here, be sure to research crimes in and around the area and invest in security.
2. Conway
Just north of Little Rock, Conway could be considered the cheapest of the big cities with 62,000 residents.
It’s close enough to the capital where you can drive out and spend a day having fun.
Then, come home and not have to deal with a ton of traffic.
Both apartments and homes are available, many of which you can fit into for less than $1,400 a month.
There’s even room in Conway to live within a budget on a lake.
3. Fort Smith
A short drive to Oklahoma, Fort Smith has more than one lake, affordable housing, and a median home price of $170,000.
Thanks to being a place with a story to tell, Fort Smith has plenty of things to do within the confines of the city lines.
Some of those things include museums, parks, and hiking trails.
When the mood strikes your fancy, you can hop on the border and take a day trip out to Tulsa for some extra activities.
4. Hope
Are you a Texan trying to escape the ever-rising real estate prices?
Hope might be an interesting option.
A few minutes up the highway from Texarkana is Hope.
There’s not a whole lot here aside from a few parks, but perhaps that’s the charm.
Immediately off a major highway, it would be convenient to live in Hope and routinely head over to Texas or spend the weekend in Little Rock.
Heck, you might even get wild hair and drive a tad south to experience better casinos in Shreveport, Louisiana.
5. El Dorado
All the way south, you could straddle the line of Arkansas and Louisiana in El Dorado.
Mostly wooded, the residential area is in the city center.
There isn’t an abundance of housing, but what is available comes with more square feet for the dollar than almost anywhere else.
You’d have to travel to find excitement, but the money savings might be worth it.
6. West Memphis
West Memphis is another border town.
West Memphis, Arkansas is full of flat land and not much else.
Luckily, for those who live in West Memphis, that’s OK.
Memphis, Tennessee is a proper city that is quite famous.
If you’re into the blues, Elvis, or even a Tom Cruise movie called The Firm, you will love driving over the line to hang out on the Tennessee side.
Don’t feel like going anywhere?
The Mississippi River is on the southern edge of town.
Housing is limited but on the budget side.
7. Russellville
Halfway between Little Rock and the Oklahoma/Fort Smith border is Russellville.
Being off the Arkansas River has helped provide this stop-off with nice resources.
There’s a wildlife refuge, state park, lakes, and campgrounds all over.
All those things have brought life to the area.
Movers can be choosers as there are plenty of homes to pick through.
8. Jonesboro
This city has the best of both worlds when it comes to location.
Jonesboro happens to be a stone’s throw from both Tennessee and Missouri.
So, when it comes to short getaways, this part of Arkansas is poised for convenience.
That might have something to do with the overwhelming number of homes ready to move into.
Having parks, lakes, and Arkansas State University might also be part of that equation.
9. Harrison
Near the northwestern corner, Harrison is nestled in the Ozarks.
Being surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and lakes, the air here is something to be sought after.
Being able to jump over to Missouri is a bonus.
The housing market here is very tight, you might need to stalk it for a while.
Once you get in, though, it’s one of the most peaceful places to lay your head.
10. Little Rock
It may be surprising to see the state capital on a list of cheap places.
Usually, that’s one of the more expensive places to live.
However, Little Rock is not like other major capitals you might envision.
Little is not a joke.
The airport is tiny and there’s not much going on around the city.
The downtown is pretty poppin’, but that is the extent.
All those factors, plus the fact that it’s Arkansas, make Little Rock quite affordable.
It’s the most active part of the state.
So, if you’re coming from a busy place and would like to maintain a similar lifestyle, Little Rock would be a great bet.
You get way more for your money in housing and day-to-day expenses.
Plus, being in the capital, you’re more likely to have a fun social life.
Arkansas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Arkansas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Arkansas so cheap?
Prices for pretty much anything follow a demand.
The more demand for something, the more expensive it will be.
Just ask California.
The largest city in Arkansas isn’t that big.
Primarily, President Clinton’s home state is mostly rural.
The economy revolves around agriculture and a couple of other outdoor pursuits.
Fewer people are moving in or around Arkansas.
For those who are, though, that means prices of land are on the low end and there is little competition.
Competition drives housing costs, so Arkansas stays relatively cheap.
Is Arkansas a good place to live?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If access to good weather, outside activities, and low costs of living are meaningful, Arkansas is great.
Many people have vacation homes here, too.
So, at the very least, it’s the perfect place to get away from it all.
Singles and couples find Arkansas especially beneficial.
When it comes to raising a family there, you might want to do extra research.
Arkansas comes up toward the bottom as far as SAT scores go.
There’s more racial division, too.
In some ways, Arkansans are sort of living in the past.
From hairstyles to social views, it can be a sort of strange experience.
Before making the move, be sure to look into the local political leaning, taxes, and costs before picking a specific city to settle in.
What's the job market like in Arkansas?
Unemployment is at an acceptable rate, around 3%.
There are fewer jobs in Arkansas than in other states, but there is still hope for finding work.
Job openings are higher this year than they were a year ago.
There are even some fields that have experienced traceable growth.
For instance, much of the medical field includes traveling nurses and physical therapists.
Jobs that you wouldn’t have thought of are also doing quite well.
Plant care specialists are booming in Arkansas, as are van drivers.
Let’s not forget all the jobs available in casinos.
Got a CDL?
There are always hiring frenzies going on for experienced truckers.
It’s worth looking into if you’re interested in the move.
