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Moving from Iowa to Arkansas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Walmart HQ, Ozarks, low cost of living.

IA state flag
Living now

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

AR state flag
Moving to

Arkansas

Capital: Little Rock

Median household income $56,335 · winter low 30°F · 217 sunny days

Walmart HQ, Ozarks, low cost of living.

Arkansas has an overall price level 86.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Arkansas
86.9
Arkansas has 0.9% lower overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Arkansas
58.2
Arkansas has 11% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Arkansas
96.7
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Arkansas
98.0
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Arkansas
13.6 ¢/kWh
Arkansas has 1.6% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Arkansas
97.4
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Arkansas
$215,600
Arkansas is 5.1% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Arkansas
$794/mo
Arkansas is 3.3% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 92°F · Winter low 30°F · 217 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Arkansas
92°F
Arkansas is 8.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Arkansas
30°F
Arkansas is 131% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Arkansas
61°F
Arkansas is 26% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Arkansas
217
Arkansas has 8.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Arkansas
51 in
Arkansas is 46% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Iowa
73
Arkansas
42
Arkansas has 42% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Arkansas
3 in
Arkansas is 90% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaArkansas report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas than Iowa?

Arkansas's overall price level is roughly 87.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 90 for Iowa — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Iowa tops out at 3.8% income tax. Arkansas tops out at 3.9%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Arkansas?

Most Arkansas residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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