City Comparison

Little Rock vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Little Rock

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

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

2.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.4%, with Tokyo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to $73,214 in Tokyo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Little Rock
98
Tokyo
Groceries
94
Little Rock
88
Tokyo
Utilities
88
Little Rock
85
Tokyo
Transportation
98
Little Rock
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
90
Little Rock
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $73,214 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $76,829 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $450,000. The $280,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,204 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Little Rock and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $340 in Tokyo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Little Rock and 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,638 in Little Rock and $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $51,220 respectively. Little Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $980/month in Tokyo. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,214 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Little Rock's housing index is 62 with median homes at $170,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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