Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Spokane?

Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Little Rock vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Little Rock, AR, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $60,583 in Little Rock, AR and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 8% higher in Spokane, WA. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Little Rock, AR

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$981

$884

+10% in Little Rock, AR

1 Bedroom

$904

$903

+0% in Little Rock, AR

2 Bedroom

$1,064

$1,192

+12% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,292

$1,442

+12% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$221,200

$326,200

+47% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$60,583

$65,745

+9% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,790

$54,660

+19% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

54.2%

58.3%

+4.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.0%

32.6%

+11.4 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

18.3 min

21.2 min

+2.9 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,673

683.6

+59% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

5,251.5

4,931.8

+6% 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

48.9°F

+13.8°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

49.8 in

17.8 in

+32.0 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.9

+4% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.93

$20.41

+21% in Little Rock, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Little Rock, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / WA)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

None

+3.9 pp in AR

Little Rock vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Spokane?: Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).