Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Tacoma?

Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Tacoma?

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

Little Rock vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Little Rock, AR is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,583 in Little Rock, AR and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 28% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$981

$1,178

+20% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$904

$1,332

+47% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,064

$1,693

+59% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,292

$2,094

+62% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$221,200

$454,600

+106% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$60,583

$83,857

+38% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,790

$72,610

+59% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.3 yr

+0.9 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

54.2%

56.5%

+2.3 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.0%

33.5%

+10.5 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

18.3 min

29.0 min

+10.7 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,673

1,064.4

+36% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

5,251.5

5,695.2

+8% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+10.6°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

49.8 in

43.0 in

+6.7 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.9

+4% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Little Rock, AR

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Tacoma?: Little Rock, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Tacoma?: Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).