| Index | Pine Bluff | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 52 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 92 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 88 | 92 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Pine Bluff? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Pine Bluff stands at 82, making it 18% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Pine Bluff stands out by reporting housing costs that are 48.3% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 5 residents in Pine Bluff to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 20% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 80% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Pine Bluff an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Pine Bluff is 59.1% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 23% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pine Bluff has a median household income of $51,525, which is 36.6% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pine Bluff, healthcare costs are 4.6% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Pine Bluff, the groceries index registers 3.8% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Pine Bluff, the utilities index is 4.2% lower than the national average.
The Pine Bluff cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $70,054 | $5,838 | $1,634 | $2,102 |
| Renters | $39,659 | $3,305 | $925 | $1,190 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 11.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arkansas | 2% | 4.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Sherrill, AR | 296 | 94 | 5.5% |
| Altheimer, AR | 799 | 75 | 24.6% |
| Sulphur Springs city, AR | 408 | 79 | 20.9% |
| Wabbaseka, AR | 386 | 82 | 18.2% |
| Sulphur Springs, AR | 1,372 | 86 | 13.7% |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 43,193 | 82 | 18.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Odenton, MD | 43,210 | 133 | 32.9% |
| Beverly, MA | 43,236 | 146 | 45.6% |
| Annandale, VA | 43,136 | 145 | 44.8% |
| Rouyn-Noranda, QC | 43,276 | n/a | |
| Oakley, CA | 43,283 | 151 | 50.6% |
| Pine Bluff, AR | 43,193 | 82 | 18.3% |