City Comparison

Little Rock vs Paris

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

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

Paris

France
112
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.0%, with Little Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $100,000 in Paris.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
155
Paris
Groceries
94
Little Rock
98
Paris
Utilities
88
Little Rock
108
Paris
Transportation
98
Little Rock
105
Paris
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
85
Paris

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Paris.

Conversely, $75,000 in Paris equals $56,250 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Paris

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Paris's 155, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $695,000. The $525,000 difference in home prices means roughly $34,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,800/mo in Paris, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 98 in Paris. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $466/month in Paris. 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 88 in Little Rock and 108 in Paris. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $432 in Paris. 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 90 in Little Rock and 85 in Paris. 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 $47,638 in Little Rock and $48,000 in Paris. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $42,857 respectively. Little Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,120/month in Paris. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Paris, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 93 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Paris, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Paris's is 155 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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