Abilene vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Little Rock
The Verdict
Abilene is 4.8% less expensive than Little Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $78,750 in Little Rock to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $78,750 in Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $71,429 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $170,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $447/month in Little Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $56,712 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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