What is a livable wage in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a living wage varies significantly by family size, with a single adult needing around $17-$21/hour, while a family of four requires about $20/hour per working adult to cover essentials like housing, food, and childcare, much higher than the state's $11.00 minimum wage. A single parent with two children needs closer to $34/hour, and two working parents with two kids need about $20/hour each.

What is a good salary in Arkansas?

A salary in the range of $50,000 to $70,000 is generally considered comfortable for a single person in Arkansas.

Is $40,000 a year a livable wage?

Yes, you can live on $40k a year, especially as a single person in a low-cost-of-living (LCOL) area, but it requires careful budgeting, prioritizing needs over luxuries, and potentially having roommates or relying on public transport, as high-cost cities make it very difficult. Your take-home pay after taxes will be less than $3,300/month, so managing expenses like housing (cooking at home, finding cheap rent), transportation (used car, public transit), and avoiding debt is crucial for affording savings and necessities. 

How much money do I need to live in Arkansas?

Per MIT's Living Wage Calculator, a single childless adult would need to make $40,540 a year before taxes to cover expenses in Arkansas.

What salary is considered middle class in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the middle-class household income generally falls between approximately $39,000 to $117,000, though this varies by source and household size, with some defining it as two-thirds to twice the state median income for a given family size, leading to ranges like $39,182 to $117,546 for a four-person household. A recent analysis suggests a wider range of $37,557 to $112,670, while another indicates a 2-person family might need $44,528 to $133,584. 

What impact could a $15 minimum wage have on Arkansas workers?

Is 70K a good salary in Arkansas?

The average pay range for a 70K varies greatly (by as much as 10300), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience. Arkansas ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 70K salaries.

What income is considered poverty level in Arkansas?

ARKANSAS POVERTY STATISTICS:

The basic cost of living per year in Arkansas is $46k for a family of 4 and $18k for a single adult. This is much different than Federal Poverty Line estimates which are: $25k for a family and $12k for singles.

What is considered a livable wage in Arkansas?

For a family with two working parents and two children, a livable wage would need to be close to $20/hour to comfortably cover food, child care, medical expenses, housing and transportation. A single working parent with two children would need to make $34/hour to make ends meet for their family.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the #1 cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to having the nation's lowest housing costs, along with very low transportation expenses, making overall living costs significantly below the national average, though it also faces high poverty rates. Other top contenders for affordability include West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, all offering low housing and everyday expenses. 

What is $20 per hour annually?

$20 an hour is $41,600 per year, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek, calculated by multiplying $20 by 2,080 (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). This is your gross income before taxes, so your actual take-home pay will be less, and it can vary based on unpaid time off or reduced hours. 

Can I buy a house if I make $40,000 a year?

Yes, you can likely afford a house on $40k a year, but it depends heavily on location, debt, and savings; using the 28/36 rule, your maximum mortgage payment (PITI) is around $933/month, and total debt is around $1200/month, potentially allowing for a home in the $120k-$140k range or higher in low-cost areas, especially with good credit and low other debts, potentially qualifying for assistance programs. 

What is 12.50 an hour annually?

$12.50 an hour is $26,000 a year if you work a standard 40-hour week for 52 weeks, calculated by multiplying $12.50 by 2,080 (40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year). This annual income breaks down to about $2,167 monthly and $1,000 bi-weekly before taxes. 

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

What is the downfall of living in Arkansas?

The main drawbacks of living in Arkansas include extreme summer heat and humidity, significant risks from tornadoes and flooding, limited job opportunities (especially high-paying ones), challenges with education and healthcare access, high sales tax, and a heavy reliance on cars due to poor public transportation. The state also struggles with health outcomes, lower wages, and cultural homogeneity outside of its main cities, though these issues vary by region.
 

Is Arkansas paying $10,000 to move there?

For example, the Northwest Arkansas Council's Life Works Here program, which began in November 2020, offered individuals $10,000 (and a free bicycle) to move to northwest Arkansas and stay in the area for at least six months.

What is Arkansas #1 in?

Arkansas recently ranked #1 in the nation for lowest cost-of-living, #1 for inbound migration, and #1 in the country for economic growth for two consecutive quarters.

Is $25 an hour good in Arkansas?

The average pay range for a 25 An Hour varies greatly (by as much as 5300), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience. Arkansas ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for 25 An Hour salaries.

Is $40,000 a year a livable wage?

Yes, you can live on $40k a year, especially as a single person in a low-cost-of-living (LCOL) area, but it requires careful budgeting, prioritizing needs over luxuries, and potentially having roommates or relying on public transport, as high-cost cities make it very difficult. Your take-home pay after taxes will be less than $3,300/month, so managing expenses like housing (cooking at home, finding cheap rent), transportation (used car, public transit), and avoiding debt is crucial for affording savings and necessities. 

What is middle class in Arkansas?

As of Jan 15, 2026, the average annual pay for a Middle Class in Arkansas is $39,698 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.09 an hour. This is the equivalent of $763/week or $3,308/month.

What is the poorest part of Arkansas?

Arkansas's poverty rates vary considerably by county. The counties with the highest poverty rates are Phillips, Desha, Chicot, Nevada, and Lee, which all had poverty rates above 30% in 2016. The counties with the lowest poverty rates are Saline, Benton, Lonoke, Grant, and Baxter, which all had poverty rates under 14%.

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40,000 a year isn't technically "poverty" for a single person in most areas (as it's above the federal poverty level), but it's a tight budget in high-cost cities, qualifying as lower-middle class in many places, and struggles to support families, especially in expensive areas, though it can be comfortable in low-cost regions or for individuals with no dependents. 

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the highest poverty rate in the U.S., often followed by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia, according to World Population Review data from late 2024/early 2025 and U.S. Census data cited by FCNL and Visual Capitalist. Factors contributing to Mississippi's high poverty include low median household income, lower educational attainment, and higher rates of child poverty, though rates have seen some improvement over the years.