Is $28,000 a good salary in Arkansas?

$28,000 in Arkansas provides a monthly take-home of approximately $1,955 after taxes. Across major Arkansas cities, this salary is rated manageable, with an average monthly surplus of $208.

What is the cost of living on $28,000 in Arkansas?

The average monthly living cost across major Arkansas cities is approximately $1,747 for a single adult (rent, food, transport, utilities, healthcare). On $28,000 take-home pay of $1,955/month, you would have roughly $208/month remaining.

Living in Arkansas · 2026

Is $28,000 enough to live in Arkansas?

Single adult · AR · 2026 tax brackets · Real cost-of-living data

Statewide verdict:Manageable

Monthly take-home

$1,955

Avg monthly expenses

$1,747

Avg monthly surplus

$208

Savings potential

~11%

After-tax take-home in Arkansas

Gross salary$28,000

Federal income tax− $1,254

State income tax− $1,146

Social Security− $1,736

Medicare− $406

Annual take-home$23,458

Effective tax rate16.22%

How $28,000 feels in Arkansas cities

Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · Food: USDA Low-Cost Plan × COL · Transport/Utilities/Healthcare: BLS CES × COL

Little Rock

COL index: 0.83× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$900

Food

$383

Transport

$145

Utilities

$137

Healthcare

$166

Total: $1,731/mo

Surplus: $224/mo

Rent burden: 46.0% — High (35–50%)

Full Little Rock analysis →

Fort Smith

COL index: 0.77× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$780

Food

$370

Transport

$135

Utilities

$127

Healthcare

$154

Total: $1,566/mo

Surplus: $389/mo

Rent burden: 39.9% — High (35–50%)

Full Fort Smith analysis →

Fayetteville

COL index: 0.91× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$1,050

Food

$396

Transport

$159

Utilities

$150

Healthcare

$182

Total: $1,937/mo

Surplus: $18/mo

Rent burden: 53.7% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Fayetteville analysis →

Springdale

COL index: 0.89× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$1,020

Food

$392

Transport

$156

Utilities

$147

Healthcare

$178

Total: $1,893/mo

Surplus: $62/mo

Rent burden: 52.2% — Unaffordable (> 50%)

Full Springdale analysis →

Jonesboro

COL index: 0.80× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$850

Food

$374

Transport

$140

Utilities

$132

Healthcare

$160

Total: $1,656/mo

Surplus: $299/mo

Rent burden: 43.5% — High (35–50%)

Full Jonesboro analysis →

Conway

COL index: 0.82× national avg

Manageable

Rent (1BR)

$880

Food

$378

Transport

$144

Utilities

$135

Healthcare

$164

Total: $1,701/mo

Surplus: $254/mo

Rent burden: 45.0% — High (35–50%)

Full Conway analysis →

50 / 30 / 20 Budget Planner

Based on your monthly take-home of $1,955 ($23,460/yr)

Needs 50%Wants 30%Savings 20%

Needs50%

$978

per month

›Rent / mortgage
›Groceries
›Utilities
›Insurance
›Minimum debt payments
›Transportation

Wants30%

$587

per month

›Dining out
›Streaming services
›Gym
›Hobbies
›Travel
›Shopping

Savings20%

$391

per month

›Emergency fund
›401(k) / IRA
›Investments
›Down payment fund
›Debt payoff (extra)

Needs / year

$11,730

Wants / year

$7,038

Savings / year

$4,692

Salary Intelligence

Below comfortable level in Little Rock

Rent would consume 46% of take-home income — above the 35% stress threshold. A higher salary or lower-cost housing is needed for financial stability in this city.

Lifestyle score: 4.4/10 (Fair)

Lifestyle Assessment

A $28,000 salary supports a fair single lifestyle in Little Rock, Arkansas. After essential expenses, approximately $224/month (~11% of take-home) is available for savings or discretionary spending.

Purchasing Power

Due to Little Rock's low cost of living (index: 0.83), $28,000 here has the purchasing power of roughly $62,410 in San Francisco or $65,783 in New York City. Your dollar goes significantly further here.

State & National Benchmark

$28,000 is 10% below the Arkansas individual median of $31,200. Consider negotiating a higher salary or exploring higher-paying roles in this state.

State individual median

$31,200

-10%

State household median

$52,528

-47%

Tax reduction strategies

Maximize 401(k) Contributions — Up to $5,170 in federal tax (22% bracket)

Contribute to a Traditional IRA — Up to $1,540 in federal tax (22% bracket)

$28,000 vs. Arkansas income benchmarks

Individual median (Arkansas)

$31,200

-10% vs. this salary

Household median (Arkansas)

$52,528

-47% vs. this salary

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 2023

Related salary insights

Explore other salary levels in Arkansas

$40,000 $60,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 $300,000

Reviewed by

Finance Editor

CPA, 10+ years in personal finance

Data Sources

•Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
•Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
•Cost-of-living index: C2ER / ACCRA Cost of Living Index

Data updated monthly using government datasets.