A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
45%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index West Memphis Arkansas National
Cost of living8286100
Goods & Services9498100
Groceries10095100
Health care8788100
Housing5565100
Transportation8890100
Utilities9092100

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Memphis, AR

The cost of living in West Memphis affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in West Memphis is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing costs often consume a significant share of your take-home income, often surpassing 30%. Fortunately, West Memphis distinguishes itself by reporting housing expenses that are 44.8% below the national average. This indicates that both owning a home and renting in this area are notably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the nation. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of West Memphis can allocate more of their income to housing, enhancing their financial flexibility.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in West Memphis?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in West Memphis and this is how they responded. 50% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 50% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is West Memphis Affordable?

Wondering if West Memphis is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In West Memphis, for example, the median home price is 53.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 24.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with West Memphis boasting a median household income of $32,601, which is 41.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Memphis?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In West Memphis, the healthcare costs are 13.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In West Memphis, the groceries index is 0.2% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in West Memphis displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in West Memphis is 5% lower than the Arkansas average
  • The cost of living in West Memphis is 18% lower than the national average
  • West Memphis housing is 45% lower than the national average
  • Arkansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Arkansas state income tax is 11% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around West Memphis

See all the best places to live around West Memphis

Compare West Memphis, AR Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$47,575$3,965$1,110$1,427
      Renters$22,397$1,866$523$672
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in West Memphis, AR, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In West Memphis, the median monthly income is $47,575 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,110 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $22,397, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $523 on monthly rental expenses.

      Arkansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Arkansas 6.5% 11.625%

      Arkansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Arkansas 2% 5.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.94$24.2611.0%
      Beauty Salon $41.92$45.568.0%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.1%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.1%
      Movie $11.99$12.131.2%
      Bowling $13.75$18.0023.6%

      Groceries

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.10$5.844.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.0%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $5.15$4.934.3%
      Pizza $10.66$12.0911.8%
      Beer $9.95$10.414.4%

      Health Care

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $77.39$125.6838.4%
      Doctor $124.94$135.788.0%
      Dentist $91.51$113.2919.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.19$10.654.4%
      Lipitor $518.09$468.6010.6%

      Housing

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      Home Price $86,100.00$184,700.0053.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,240.45$2,346.694.5%
      Apartment Rent $713.00$949.0024.9%

      Transportation

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.3%
      Tire Balancing $55.67$59.927.1%

      Utilities

      Item West Memphis National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $163.38$193.9915.8%
      Phone $192.72$192.250.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Jennette, AR617327.2%
      Anthonyville, AR687624.3%
      Sunset, AR2297722.7%
      Earle, AR2,1747921.5%
      Edmondson, AR4008316.6%
      West Memphis, AR24,6568218.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Northdale, FL24,66011111.0%
      Staunton, VA24,660981.7%
      Sandusky, OH24,6518415.9%
      Mill Creek East, WA24,64316868.3%
      Chestermere, AB24,643n/a 
      West Memphis, AR24,6568218.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.