Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $1,100 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Arkansas runs roughly 18% cheaper on rent than Pennsylvania, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,583 in Arkansas and $60,698 in Pennsylvania. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6%
+0.5 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
3.07%
+0.8 pp in Arkansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$904
$1,100
+22% in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
$221,200
$193,200
+13% in Arkansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$60,698
+0% in Pennsylvania
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
51.8°F
+10.9°F in Arkansas
Arkansas vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Pennsylvania?
- Arkansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $904 runs about 18% below Pennsylvania's $1,100, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arkansas than in Pennsylvania?
- 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 $44,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Pennsylvania?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Arkansas/Pennsylvania — 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.