Arlington vs Little Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Little Rock
The Verdict
Little Rock is 95.2% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $38,415 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 Arlington has the same purchasing power as $38,415 in Little Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $146,429 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Little Rock
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $170,000. The $570,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,056 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $1,400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $447/month in Little Rock. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $352 in Little Rock. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $56,712 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 187 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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