A+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Arkadelphia Arkansas National
Cost of living8686100
Goods & Services10298100
Groceries9695100
Health care8988100
Housing6265100
Transportation8990100
Utilities9392100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Arkadelphia, AR

Knowing the cost of living in Arkadelphia allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Arkadelphia stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

Is Arkadelphia Affordable?

Is Arkadelphia an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Arkadelphia, the median home price is 38.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 38% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Arkadelphia come in at $31,643, which is 42.8% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Arkadelphia?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Arkadelphia, the transportation index is 11% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Arkadelphia, the groceries index is 4.1% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Arkadelphia, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Arkadelphia is 1% higher than the Arkansas average
  • The cost of living in Arkadelphia is 14% lower than the national average
  • Arkadelphia housing is 38% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Arkadelphia

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Compare Arkadelphia, AR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$53,451$4,454$1,247$1,604
      Renters$21,387$1,782$499$642
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Arkadelphia, AR, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Arkadelphia, homeowners have a median income of $53,451. Using that number, a maximum of $1,247 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $21,387, which means there is a maximum of $499 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Arkansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arkansas 6.5% 11.625%

      Arkansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arkansas 2% 4.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.67$24.269.9%
      Beauty Salon $54.14$45.5618.8%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.07$1.2816.4%
      Movie $11.78$12.132.9%
      Bowling $17.78$18.001.2%

      Groceries

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.15$5.8411.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.52$4.673.2%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.47$12.0913.3%
      Beer $9.83$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $113.39$125.689.8%
      Doctor $185.50$135.7836.6%
      Dentist $94.42$113.2916.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.08$10.655.4%
      Lipitor $409.22$468.6012.7%

      Housing

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $114,100.00$184,700.0038.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,950.05$2,346.6916.9%
      Apartment Rent $588.00$949.0038.0%

      Transportation

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.10$3.4610.4%
      Tire Balancing $66.08$59.9210.3%

      Utilities

      Item Arkadelphia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $166.58$193.9914.1%
      Phone $205.55$192.256.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gurdon, AR2,0998218.5%
      Sparkman, AR4988218.4%
      Friendship, AR2308218.3%
      Gum Springs, AR1118415.6%
      Caddo Valley, AR7138613.8%
      Arkadelphia, AR10,6708613.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gulf Gate Estates, FL10,676991.5%
      Comstock Park, MI10,659928.0%
      Grey Highlands, ON10,659n/a 
      Vidor, TX10,6588614.3%
      New Port Richey East, FL10,6519010.2%
      Arkadelphia, AR10,6708613.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.