Quality of Life
Arkansas vs California: Livability Score
California has a higher livability score than Arkansas.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for livability score.
Arkansas
#48 · 42.07
California
#32 · 50.49
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — Livability Score
#1
Massachusetts
60.23
Massachusetts
#2
Idaho
60.19
Idaho
#3
New Jersey
59.81
New Jersey
#4
Wisconsin
59.66
Wisconsin
#5
Minnesota
58.69
Minnesota
#6
Florida
58.51
Florida
#7
New Hampshire
58.21
New Hampshire
#8
New York
57.94
New York
#9
Utah
57.94
Utah
#10
Pennsylvania
57.90
Pennsylvania
Selected states
#48
Arkansas
42.07
Arkansas
#32
California
50.49
California
Arkansas ranks 48th and California ranks 32nd nationally for livability score.
Related context
What Drives the Score
The livability score synthesizes several quality-of-life signals — here are the key inputs.
What this means
Arkansas vs California: Livability Score in context
California's livability score is 50.49, compared with 42.07 in Arkansas, a gap of 20.0%. Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).
Arkansas
42.07
California
50.49
Difference
8.42 points
People also ask
Arkansas vs California Livability Score — common questions
QWhat is Arkansas's livability score?
Arkansas's livability score is 42.07.
QWhat is California's livability score?
California's livability score is 50.49.
QWhich state has a higher livability score — Arkansas or California?
California has a higher livability score than Arkansas.
QHow much more livability score does California have compared to Arkansas?
8.42 points.
More comparisons: Arkansas vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
2025 comparison
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
WalletHub total score incorporated into the comparison dataset.