City Comparison

Little Rock vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

Living in Little Rock costs 3.4% less than Springdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $77,679 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
86
Springdale
Groceries
94
Little Rock
97
Springdale
Utilities
88
Little Rock
93
Springdale
Transportation
98
Little Rock
91
Springdale
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $77,679 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $72,414 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $299,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Little Rock and 82 in Springdale. 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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,449/month in Springdale. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Little Rock is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,679 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases