Alaska vs Arkansas

Arkansas is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Arkansas, Alaska has higher incomes, Alaska has lower state income tax, and Arkansas gets more sunshine.

Alaska flag
Alaska
AK · West
14 / 33
metrics won
VS
Arkansas flag
Arkansas
AR · South
19 / 33
metrics won
Winner
AR wins Housing AR wins Quality of Life AR wins Climate AK wins Income AR wins Demographics AK wins Taxes
Continue with the moving guides: Living in Alaska Living in Arkansas All 50 states State Match
AK 14
19 AR

What matters to you?

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Your match

Arkansas fits you better

Arkansas wins 19 of 33 scored metrics against Alaska.

Run the numbers

What's your salary really worth?

Alaska

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
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Arkansas

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
—

Illustrative estimate only. Uses top marginal state income tax rate, BEA Regional Price Parity, and median housing costs — excludes federal tax, utilities, insurance, childcare, and debt.

Full comparison

Every metric, side by side

Pick a category. Each row opens the full breakdown for that metric — national rank, chart, and sourcing.

Capital City
Juneau vs Little Rock
State Color
Solid Red vs Solid Red
Population
738,003
3,133,502
Median Income
$86,533
$52,123
Cost of Living
125.8
87.6
Median Housing Value
$316,400
$154,200
Property Tax
1.11%
0.55%
State Income Tax
None (0%)
4.40%
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr
$11.00/hr
Gas Price
$4.619/gal
$3.610/gal
Electricity Rates
25.52 c/kWh
12.35 c/kWh
Livability Score
44.17
42.07
Average Temperature
26.6°F
60.4°F
Sunny Days
61 days
123 days
Land Area
663,268 sq mi
53,179 sq mi
Population Density
1.1 per sq mi
58.9 per sq mi
Statehood
January 3, 1959 (#49)
June 15, 1836 (#25)

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

The biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

Alaska flag

Alaska

Pros

  • Alaska shows higher median income.
  • Alaska health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
  • Alaska education proxy is higher.

Cons

  • Alaska has a higher overall cost of living.
  • Alaska has a higher housing cost index.
  • Alaska has higher median home values.
  • Alaska has higher property tax rates on average.
  • Alaska has a higher violent crime rate.
  • Alaska job growth trend is weaker.
Arkansas flag

Arkansas

Pros

  • Arkansas has a lower overall cost of living.
  • Arkansas has a lower housing cost index.
  • Arkansas has lower median home values.
  • Arkansas has lower property tax rates on average.
  • Arkansas has a lower violent crime rate.
  • Arkansas job growth trend is stronger.

Cons

  • Arkansas shows lower median income.
  • Arkansas health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
  • Arkansas education proxy is lower.

People also ask

Alaska vs Arkansas — common questions

QIs Alaska cheaper to live in than Arkansas?

Arkansas has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Arkansas scores 87.6 versus 125.8 for Alaska - a gap of 38.2 points.

QWhere does $100 go further - Alaska or Arkansas?

$100 goes further in Arkansas. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $113.40 in Arkansas, compared with $97.79 in Alaska.

QWhich state is bigger - Alaska or Arkansas?

Alaska is larger, covering 663,268 sq mi compared with 53,179 sq mi for Arkansas - roughly 12.5x the size.

QDoes Alaska or Arkansas have more people?

Arkansas has the larger population at 3,133,502, compared with 738,003 in Alaska.

QWhich state has higher household income - Alaska or Arkansas?

Alaska has the higher median household income at $86,533, versus $52,123 in Arkansas.

QWhich state has lower income taxes - Alaska or Arkansas?

Alaska has no state income tax, while Arkansas charges up to 4.40%.

QIs housing cheaper in Alaska or Arkansas?

Homes are cheaper in Arkansas, where the median home value is $154,200, versus $316,400 in Alaska.

QWhich state is more densely populated - Alaska or Arkansas?

Arkansas is more densely populated at 58.9 per sq mi people per sq mi. Alaska is more spread out at 1.1 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related comparisons

Arizona flag Arizona vs Arkansas Arkansas flag Arkansas vs California Alabama flag Alabama vs Alaska Alaska flag Alaska vs Delaware

Methodology

Figures combine government datasets, named research sources, and clearly labeled derived scores. Dataset reviewed July 23, 2026.

Demographics & geography
2020 Census, American Community Survey, TIGER/Line Files, National Archives
Income, housing & cost of living
American Community Survey, BLS, BEA Regional Price Parities, and named market studies
Wages & energy
U.S. Department of Labor, AAA, U.S. EIA
Politics & law
NCSL, Giffords Law Center, NABCA

Data periods differ by metric. Open any individual comparison metric to see its primary source, data period, review date, and calculation note. Daily-changing fields such as gas prices are stored snapshots unless the page explicitly says a live feed is used.

See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.