Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or New Haven?

Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in New Haven?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or New Haven?

Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Little Rock vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Little Rock, AR versus $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,583 in Little Rock, AR and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 11% higher in Little Rock, AR. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Little Rock, AR

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$981

$1,159

+18% in New Haven, CT

1 Bedroom

$904

$1,275

+41% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,064

$1,473

+38% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,292

$1,636

+27% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$221,200

$249,000

+13% in New Haven, CT

Income

Median Household Income

$60,583

$53,771

+11% in Little Rock, AR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,790

$60,060

+31% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

31.9 yr

+4.5 yr in Little Rock, AR

Homeownership

54.2%

28.4%

+25.8 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.0%

37.7%

+6.3 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

18.3 min

21.0 min

+2.7 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,673

536.3

+68% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

5,251.5

3,601.6

+31% in Little Rock, AR

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.7°F

52.2°F

+10.5°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

49.8 in

47.1 in

+2.6 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in New Haven, CT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

24.3

+72% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$23.33

+16% in Little Rock, AR

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in New Haven, CT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Little Rock, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in New Haven, CT

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / CT)

6.5%

6.35%

+0.2 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

6.99%

+3.1 pp in CT

Little Rock vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or New Haven?: Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or New Haven?: Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).