Cheapest Places to Live in Arkansas (2026)

Looking for the most affordable cities in Arkansas? We ranked 5 Arkansas cities by median home value. The cheapest is North Little Rock (~$143,500); the Arkansas median is $215,000.

Most affordable cities in Arkansas

Ranked by median home value, lowest first:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1North Little Rock$143,500$106
2Fort Smith$232,000$135
3Little Rock$255,500$164
4Jonesboro$269,000$152
5Fayetteville$398,000$247

Most expensive cities in Arkansas

The priciest Arkansas markets by median home value:

#CityMedian home value$ / sq ft
1Fayetteville$398,000$247
2Jonesboro$269,000$152
3Little Rock$255,500$164
4Fort Smith$232,000$135
5North Little Rock$143,500$106

How we rank Arkansas cities

Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.

Explore all Arkansas home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.

Arkansas affordability: FAQ

What is the cheapest place to live in Arkansas? +
Based on median home value, North Little Rock is among the most affordable cities in Arkansas, with a typical home around $143,500 — well below the Arkansas median of $215,000.
What is the most expensive city in Arkansas? +
By median home value, Fayetteville is among the priciest in Arkansas, with a typical home around $398,000.
Is Arkansas an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Arkansas is about $215,000 (27% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $143,500 to $398,000.