Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $854 in Louisiana. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 6% cheaper on rent than Arkansas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,583 in Arkansas and $49,944 in Louisiana — about 18% 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
$904
$854
+6% in Arkansas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$224,500
+1% in Louisiana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$49,944
+18% in Arkansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
68.5°F
+5.8°F in Louisiana
Arkansas vs Louisiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Louisiana?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $854 runs about 6% below Arkansas's $904, 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 $36,000 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 1/3 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.