Arkansas Ranked #1 State for Inbound Movers in 2021

In 2021, 44% more people moved into Arkansas than moved out — the highest percentage of all US states, according to the 2021-2022 HireAHelper U.S. Migration Report.

Health care, grocery, housing, utilities, and transportation costs in Arkansas were all below the national average for 2021.The cost of living in Arkansas is approximately 14% lower than the rest of the nation, according to The Council for Community and Economic Research’s 2021 Cost of Living Index.

Housing: The median price of homes sold in Arkansas is $156,800, with the median list price per square foot at $101. The median rent price is $1,005, according to Zillow.

Property Taxes: Arkansas is in the top 10 for lowest property taxes with an effective property tax rate of only 0.63%.

Utilities: How much a household spends on energy each year in Arkansas is 8.7% below the national average, according to the Global Energy Institute.

Career opportunities are abundant in Arkansas, as well, with the state’s business-friendly environment and its support of key industries. Job seekers can find high-paying jobs in the aerospace and defense sector, in the steel industry, with startups and technology companies, in manufacturing, and many other industries in Arkansas.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission partnered with the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism in 2021 on a new talent recruitment campaign called See Why Arkansas to encourage individuals to move to the state. The campaign spotlights Arkansas’ strengths and provides online tools including a relocation calculator, testimonial videos from individuals who have moved to Arkansas as well as Arkansans who moved back after living elsewhere.