Cost of Living in Walnut Ridge, AR

Population 5,440 · Arkansas · Data vintage 2023

42
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $47,612, median household incomes in Walnut Ridge land roughly 36% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 22% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Walnut Ridge lies roughly 85 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Memphis — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Memphis' $157,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 34
Rent 54

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Walnut Ridge

The median home value in Walnut Ridge is $104,500 — 66% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $710/month, 46% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,612/year is 36% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. Arkansas's top state income tax rate is 4.4% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. Overall, Walnut Ridge has a cost of living index of 42 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 58% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$104,500
66% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$248,784
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$710/mo
46% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.3x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$638
1 BR
$684
2 BR
$848
3 BR
$1,151
4 BR
$1,256
Owner-occupied 59.5%
Renter-occupied 40.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$710
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,324/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.1 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
88.5%
Carpooled
7.1%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
0.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.4%
Total Sales Tax 9.5%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 3.0%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$47,612
36% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,512
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
21.9%
Labor Force Participation
54.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.5%
Graduate degree 8.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 33
Female median age 42.2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Walnut Ridge, AR?

Walnut Ridge has a cost index of 42 (100 = national average). It is 58% below the national average.

What is average rent in Walnut Ridge, AR?

The median gross rent in Walnut Ridge is $710 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Walnut Ridge?

The median home value in Walnut Ridge is $104,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Walnut Ridge?

The median household income in Walnut Ridge is $47,612 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Walnut Ridge, AR?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Walnut Ridge is 9.5%. The Arkansas state income tax top rate is 4.4%.

Is Walnut Ridge, AR affordable?

Yes, Walnut Ridge is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 42 — about 58% below the US national average of 100.

Walnut Ridge at a Glance

Population
5,440
Median Income
$47,612
Home Value
$104,500
Median Rent
$710/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Sales Tax
9.5%
View all cities in Arkansas →
🗺️ County data for Arkansas

Explore county-level cost of living data

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