| Index | West Memphis | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 87 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 55 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 92 | 100 |
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 87, which is 13% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
West Memphis housing costs are 45.3% less than the national average, making this area an affordable place to live. Your net income can be heavily impacted by housing expenses, at times exceeding 30%. Fortunately, this area demonstrates that both homeownership and renting costs are significantly more budget-friendly than in the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, West Memphis residents can earmark a more manageable portion of their income to housing.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in West Memphis. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 50% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 50% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is West Memphis affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take West Memphis, for instance, where the median home price falls 53.1% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 26.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with West Memphis flaunting a median household income of $48,898, 39.9% lower than the national norm.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In West Memphis, the transportation index is 1.5% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in West Memphis comes in at 2.2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for West Memphis shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| 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 | $70,440 | $5,870 | $1,643 | $2,113 |
| Renters | $33,234 | $2,770 | $775 | $997 |
| 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. |
| Jennette, AR | 63 | 78 | 22.0% |
| Anthonyville, AR | 70 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Sunset, AR | 239 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Earle, AR | 2,227 | 84 | 16.5% |
| Edmondson, AR | 413 | 88 | 11.7% |
| West Memphis, AR | 25,245 | 87 | 13.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Collingwood, ON | 25,244 | n/a | |
| Homer Glen, IL | 25,242 | 120 | 19.8% |
| Derby, KS | 25,251 | 96 | 3.9% |
| Selma, CA | 25,254 | 115 | 15.2% |
| Palmetto Bay, FL | 25,232 | 155 | 55.4% |
| West Memphis, AR | 25,245 | 87 | 13.4% |
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