City Comparison

Evansville vs Little Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

Little Rock

Arkansas
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$47,638
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.8%, with Evansville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to $78,750 in Little Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
55
Evansville
62
Little Rock
Groceries
95
Evansville
94
Little Rock
Utilities
105
Evansville
88
Little Rock
Transportation
98
Evansville
98
Little Rock
Healthcare
105
Evansville
90
Little Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $78,750 in Little Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $71,429 in Evansville.

Living in Evansville vs Little Rock

Housing Costs

Evansville's housing index of 55 is lower Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $170,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Evansville compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Evansville and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Evansville 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 105 in Evansville and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Evansville 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 105 in Evansville and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,600 in Evansville and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,750 and $56,712 respectively. Evansville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Evansville vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Evansville, median rent of $850/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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,750 in Little Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Evansville's housing index is 55 with median homes at $170,000, while Little Rock's is 62 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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