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Moving from Kentucky to Arkansas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix. vs. Walmart HQ, Ozarks, low cost of living.

KY state flag
Living now

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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
Kentucky
90.2
Arkansas
86.9
Arkansas has 3.6% lower overall price level
Housing index
Kentucky
64.3
Arkansas
58.2
Arkansas has 9.5% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kentucky
97.5
Arkansas
96.7
Arkansas has 0.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.5
Arkansas
98.0
Electricity rate
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Arkansas
13.6 ¢/kWh
Arkansas has 8.4% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kentucky
98.0
Arkansas
97.4
Arkansas has 0.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Kentucky
$226,000
Arkansas
$215,600
Arkansas is 4.6% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kentucky
$852/mo
Arkansas
$794/mo
Arkansas is 6.8% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

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

Avg summer high
Kentucky
87°F
Arkansas
92°F
Arkansas is 5.7% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Kentucky
26°F
Arkansas
30°F
Arkansas is 15% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kentucky
56°F
Arkansas
61°F
Arkansas is 8.0% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kentucky
189
Arkansas
217
Arkansas has 15% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Kentucky
48 in
Arkansas
51 in
Arkansas is 6.9% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Kentucky
48
Arkansas
42
Arkansas has 13% lower AQI
Snow / year
Kentucky
9 in
Arkansas
3 in
Arkansas is 67% less annual snowfall

Get the full KentuckyArkansas report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Arkansas than Kentucky?

Arkansas's overall price level is roughly 87.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.5 for Kentucky — 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?

Kentucky tops out at 3.5% 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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