Is Arkansas Expensive to Live In?

Is Arkansas Expensive to Live In?

I have lived in several other states and traveled to many more; I have also lived in Canada and visited every province there. Having grown up in the state, I thought I knew how expensive it would be to live there. Boy, was I wrong! It really is quite the opposite – it’s quite the bargain to live in Arkansas compared to other places I have been to in my life. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living (and yes, I mean the cost of living solely in Arkansas, so don’t bother searching for the cost of living in Canada because that’s not what this article is about).

Property Taxes

When I first moved to Arkansas, I was amazed at how minimal the property taxes were. It wasn’t until I actually tried to register the car that I found out how mistaken I had been. The registration for a car in Arkansas is $35 a year and the annual property tax is $500 – yes, that’s right, $500! Luckily for me, I wasn’t going to be carrying a car for very long, so it was manageable. I don’t know if this is a common occurrence or if I just happened to be at the right place and time, but it really is quite the bargain to live in Arkansas.

Utilities

The utilities in Arkansas are quite affordable as well. For example, I pay $15 a month for electricity and about $38 for my water. Those who live in more expensive areas of the country may find these prices to be high, but for the most part, they aren’t really. In addition to being a bargain, living in Arkansas also means knowing how to stretch your dollar. When shopping for utility bills, look for discounts offered by different companies and see if you can get a bill that’s anywhere near the advertised rates. You’re bound to find some kind of promo code or discount that might help you out.

Groceries

Arkansas is quite the hub for food tourism. Not only are there hundreds of great places to eat, but many of them are family-owned, so you know what that means: your food dollars will go further. One of my favorite places to eat is the BBQ Joint. You may have heard of them – they’re famous for their ribs and chicken. I love the combo platter with brisket, collard greens, and mac and cheese. One meal with me typically costs about $30 – that’s pretty good for the area! I also enjoy Camp Robinson military base restaurant for the food and the atmosphere. I believe they serve some of the best meals I’ve ever had. Getting groceries is easy too – there are plenty of great places to eat nearby, so you won’t have any trouble finding what you need. Also, take advantage of any Aldi’s or Walmart’s that are located in the area.

What is the Average Cost of living in Arkansas in 2022

Healthcare

Healthcare in Arkansas is quite affordable as well. While I was hospitalized for a couple of days for surgery, my hospital bill was $26,000 (for two days). I know, for some people, that might sound like a lot, but for the most part, it’s not. We don’t have any kind of insurance, so I was basically paying out of pocket. Luckily for me, the surgery was routine and I didn’t need a lot of pre-planning. I know many people who would have had a hard time paying for healthcare if it had been routine. It really is a bargain to live in a state where healthcare is relatively affordable. In other states, you’ll be paying much more for similar healthcare. If you’re healthy, chances are you won’t need healthcare, but for the most part, it won’t hurt to have it anyway.

Transportation

Getting around in Arkansas is quite easy. Within the city of Fayetteville, you’ll have access to public transportation, so you won’t need a car for getting around. If you do choose to drive, the cost of gas is quite affordable – as a matter of fact, it’s the same as the cost of gas in Canada. Yes, you read that right – gas in Canada is cheaper than gas in Arkansas. I don’t know if that’s a common occurrence or if I just happened to be at the right place and time, but it’s definitely worth noting. While gas is quite affordable, parking is not – it’s quite the opposite in fact. In Fayetteville, there is no parking permit and it’s completely free. That means if you’re feeding off the meters, you’ll be paying quite a bit more than you would otherwise – about $30 for the first hour and about $25 for each additional hour. If you’re looking to avoid that, there are plenty of parking garages available near most places you need to be. In general, transportation in Arkansas is quite affordable compared to other parts of the country – plus, you will often find discount codes for transportation too.

As you can see, there are many ways in which Arkansas offers a lot for the money. While some might consider it expensive, others might see it as an opportunity to save a lot. If you’re looking for a state that has a lot to offer but doesn’t cost a lot, consider moving there. You won’t be sorry – it’s a great place to live.