The 72335 zip code in Forrest City tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas.
We looked at 89 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Arkansas
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forrest City 🥇 | 100.0 | $69,727 | $1,327 |
| 2 | Camden 🥈 | 99.8 | $94,442 | $1,327 |
| 3 | Pine Bluff 🥉 | 99.3 | $43,632 | $1,327 |
| 4 | White Hall | 98.8 | $131,087 | $1,327 |
| 5 | Blytheville | 98.2 | $79,651 | $1,327 |
| 6 | El Dorado | 98.2 | $125,129 | $1,327 |
| 7 | Fort Smith | 96.7 | $124,842 | $860 |
| 8 | Magnolia | 96.2 | $129,973 | $1,327 |
| 9 | Little Rock | 95.7 | $122,570 | $1,132 |
| 10 | Hope | 95.3 | $103,168 | $1,327 |
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1. Forrest City
Here's why the 72335 zip code in Forrest City is Arkansas's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Forrest City
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $69,727[1] | No. 2 | -$161,736.81 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.7 | No. 4 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 5.7%[2] | No. 1 | -39.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.2%[3] | No. 1 | -3.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[4] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $40,237[5] | No. 80 | -$20,608 |
| Property taxes | $491[6] | No. 3 | -$781 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Forrest City's 72335 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Arkansas, leading the 89 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $69,727, making it the 2nd-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -3.2% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,327 per month, which is the 27th cheapest amount in Arkansas.
The median property tax for homeowners in Forrest City is $491 per household, the No. 3 ranked market in Arkansas.
Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 1 among Arkansas markets.
2. Camden
The 71701 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Arkansas.
🔎 Key data about Camden
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 99.8 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $94,442[8] | No. 8 | -$137,022.21 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.876036691 | No. 5 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1747667574[9] | No. 7 | -27.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.2%[10] | No. 1 | -3.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[11] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 50341[12] | No. 61 | -$10,504 |
| Property taxes | $508[13] | No. 5 | -$764 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[14] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Camden's 71701 zip code has a median home value of $94,442, which is the 1st-cheapest housing market in Arkansas. You can rent for an average of $1,327 per month. That's the 22nd-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is 50341, which ranks 61st-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Camden pay a median property tax of $508 per year, making it the 5th-most affordable market in Arkansas.
Camden ranks No. 1 among Arkansas energy markets. You'll pay 0.1179755522 per kWh of electricity.
3. Pine Bluff
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Arkansas is Pine Bluff's 71601 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Pine Bluff
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 99.3 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $43,632[15] | No. 1 | -$187,831.68 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.251278713 | No. 1 | -2.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.3087325194[16] | No. 21 | -14.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.5%[17] | No. 5 | -3.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[18] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 34870[19] | No. 88 | -$25,975 |
| Property taxes | $374[20] | No. 1 | -$898 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[21] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The No. 1 cheapest housing market in Arkansas is Pine Bluff's 71601 zip code, with a median home value of $43,632. Rents in the market average $1,327 per month, making it the 22nd-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Pine Bluff is $374, which makes it the 1st-cheapest place in Arkansas. Pine Bluff ranks No. 1 among Arkansas markets by energy costs. Residents pay 0.1179755522 per kWh of electricity.
4. White Hall
The 71602 zip code in White Hall comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Arkansas.
🔎 Key data about White Hall
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.8 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $131,087[22] | No. 19 | -$100,376.55 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.11899232 | No. 7 | -1.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.2803013426[23] | No. 15 | -17.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.8%[24] | No. 7 | -2.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[25] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 61863[26] | No. 36 | $1,018 |
| Property taxes | $776[27] | No. 27 | -$496 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[28] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The No. 19 cheapest housing market in Arkansas is White Hall's 71602 zip code, where the median home value is $131,087. Renters here pay an average of $1,327 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, White Hall ranks 1st among Arkansas markets. Residents pay 0.1179755522 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $776, which makes it the 27th-cheapest market in Arkansas.
5. Blytheville
The 72315 zip code in Blytheville ranks No. 5 among Arkansas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Blytheville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.2 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $79,651[29] | No. 5 | -$151,812.66 |
| Home affordability ratio | 1.683777929 | No. 3 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.1743257124[30] | No. 6 | -27.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.1%[31] | No. 15 | -0.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[32] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 47305[33] | No. 70 | -$13,540 |
| Property taxes | $709[34] | No. 20 | -$563 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[35] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
Blytheville's 72315 zip code has a median home value of $79,651, the 5th-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.1% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Blytheville is $709. It's the 20th-cheapest market by tax rate in Arkansas.
6. El Dorado
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Arkansas is the 71730 zip code.
🔎 Key data about El Dorado
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.2 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $125,129[36] | No. 16 | -$106,334.70 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.46584052 | No. 10 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.115214936[37] | No. 3 | -33.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.6%[38] | No. 4 | -3.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[39] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 50745[40] | No. 60 | -$10,100 |
| Property taxes | $706[41] | No. 19 | -$566 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[42] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with El Dorado's 71730 zip code, which has the 16th-cheapest home values in Arkansas. The median home value is $125,129. Rents average $1,327 per month, making it the 22nd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay 0.1179755522 per kWh of electricity. It's the 1st-cheapest energy market.
7. Fort Smith
Fort Smith's 72901 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Arkansas.
🔎 Key data about Fort Smith
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.7 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $124,842[43] | No. 15 | -$106,622.15 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9470886 | No. 22 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.2541075996[44] | No. 11 | -19.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.7%[45] | No. 64 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $860[46] | No. 1 | -$467 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.03% | No. 15 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | 42361[47] | No. 78 | -$18,484 |
| Property taxes | $584[48] | No. 8 | -$688 |
| Energy costs | 0.122172715 kWh[49] | No. 65 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 15th-cheapest home values in Arkansas in Fort Smith's 72901 zip code. The median value: $124,842. Renters in Fort Smith pay an average of $860 per month.
Homeowners in Fort Smith pay a median property tax of $584 per year, which is Arkansas's 8th-most affordable market.
The average household income is 42361, which ranks 78th-highest in the state.
8. Magnolia
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Arkansas is Magnolia's 71753 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Magnolia
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 96.2 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $129,973[50] | No. 18 | -$101,491.14 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.842112295 | No. 18 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.09781503687[51] | No. 2 | -35.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.2%[52] | No. 1 | -3.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[53] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 45731[54] | No. 73 | -$15,114 |
| Property taxes | $837[55] | No. 29 | -$435 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[56] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 18th-cheapest housing market in Arkansas is Magnolia's 71753 zip code, with a median home value of $129,973. Renters pay an average of $1,327 per month, the No. 22 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Magnolia is $837, which makes it the 29th-cheapest place in Arkansas. The average household income of 45731 ranks 73rd.
9. Little Rock
Little Rock's 72206 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Arkansas's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Little Rock
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.7 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $122,570[57] | No. 14 | -$108,893.36 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.522647771 | No. 11 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.2423685024[58] | No. 10 | -21.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.1%[59] | No. 15 | -0.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,132[60] | No. 14 | -$195 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.33% | No. 79 | 0.1% |
| Median household income | 48588[61] | No. 66 | -$12,257 |
| Property taxes | $606[62] | No. 11 | -$666 |
| Energy costs | 0.1179755522 kWh[63] | No. 1 | $0.00 |
The 14th-cheapest housing market in Arkansas is Little Rock's 72206 zip code, where the median home value is $122,570. Renters pay an average of $1,132 per month. It's the state's 14th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $606, which makes it the 11th-cheapest property tax rate in Arkansas.
10. Hope
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Arkansas goes to the 71801 zip code in Hope.
🔎 Key data about Hope
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 89 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.3 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $103,168[64] | No. 9 | -$128,295.61 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.277543565 | No. 9 | -1.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.2820239966[65] | No. 16 | -17.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.6959813429%[66] | No. 54 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,327[67] | No. 22 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.18% | No. 27 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 45298[68] | No. 75 | -$15,547 |
| Property taxes | $506[69] | No. 4 | -$766 |
| Energy costs | 0.1232150011 kWh[70] | No. 72 | $0.00 |
The 9th-most affordable market in Arkansas is Hope's 71801 zip code. The median home value is $103,168. Rent in the market costs $1,327 per month on average, making it the 22nd-most affordable rental market in Arkansas.
The median property tax for households in Hope is $506, which is the 4th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Hope ranks No. 72 among Arkansas markets by energy costs, with households paying 0.1232150011 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Arkansas
We evaluated 89 zip codes in Arkansas with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Arkansas, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Arkansas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Arkansas average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
