Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $904 in Arkansas versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin 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 $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 3% higher in Wisconsin. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5%
+1.5 pp in Arkansas
Income Tax (top rate)
3.90%
7.65%
+3.8 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$904
$849
+6% in Arkansas
Median Home Value
$221,200
$191,500
+13% in Arkansas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$60,583
$62,546
+3% in Wisconsin
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
62.7°F
46.5°F
+16.2°F in Arkansas
Arkansas vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 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 Wisconsin?
- 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 Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Arkansas or Wisconsin?
- Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Arkansas/Wisconsin — 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.