Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $857 in New York. Overall, New York runs roughly 5% cheaper on rent than Arkansas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,583 in Arkansas and $48,050 in New York — about 21% higher in Arkansas. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
4%
+2.5 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
10.90%
+7.0 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$904
$857
+5% in Arkansas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$152,300
+31% in Arkansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$48,050
+21% in Arkansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
48.3°F
+14.4°F in Arkansas
Arkansas vs New York — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or New York?
- New York is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $857 runs about 5% 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 New York?
- 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 New York.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or New York?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Arkansas/New York — 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.