Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Arkansas runs roughly 23% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $60,583 in Arkansas and $67,043 in Texas — about 10% higher in Texas. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
None
+3.9 pp in Arkansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$904
$1,170
+29% in Texas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$264,900
+20% in Texas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$67,043
+11% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
67.2°F
+4.5°F in Texas
Arkansas vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Texas?
- Arkansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $904 runs about 23% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Arkansas than in Texas?
- 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 $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Texas?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Arkansas/Texas — 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.