Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $817 in Arkansas versus $854 in Louisiana. Overall, Arkansas runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Louisiana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $59,074 in Arkansas and $49,944 in Louisiana — about 15% higher in Arkansas. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5%
+1.5 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
3.00%
+0.9 pp in Arkansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$817
$854
+5% in Louisiana
Median Home Value
$221,200
$224,500
+1% in Louisiana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$59,074
$49,944
+15% in Arkansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
61.7°F
68.5°F
+6.8°F in Louisiana
Arkansas vs Louisiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Louisiana?
- Arkansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 4% below Louisiana's $854, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arkansas than in Louisiana?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Arkansas versus $34,000 in Louisiana.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Louisiana?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Arkansas/Louisiana — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.