City Comparison

Kent vs Little Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Little Rock

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

The Verdict

63.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 63.1%, with Little Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to $45,985 in Little Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
62
Little Rock
Groceries
109
Kent
94
Little Rock
Utilities
92
Kent
88
Little Rock
Transportation
117
Kent
98
Little Rock
Healthcare
122
Kent
90
Little Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $45,985 in Little Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $122,321 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Little Rock

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $170,000. The $425,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $447/month in Little Rock. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $56,712 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 133 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 63.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,985 in Little Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Little Rock's is 62 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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