State Comparison

Arkansas vs Oklahoma

Arkansas is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Oklahoma, Oklahoma has higher incomes, Arkansas has lower state income tax, and Oklahoma gets more sunshine.

Arkansas

AR • South

Quality of Life Score

42.07

Oklahoma

OK • South

Better quality of life

Quality of Life Score

46.34

Arkansas

14 / 30

metrics won

Score

Oklahoma

16 / 30

metrics won

Wins

AR wins Housing

OK wins Quality of Life

OK wins Climate

AR wins Taxes

Quality of Life

Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.

Arkansas

42.07

Oklahoma winner

46.34

Oklahoma scores higher on quality of life — 4.27 points difference.

Quick Take

Arkansas vs Oklahoma

This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.

Oklahoma has a larger population than Arkansas by 947,829 people.
Arkansas has the lower cost-of-living index. Arkansas is at 87.6, while Oklahoma is at 88.6.
After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $113.65 of local buying power in Oklahoma, versus $113.40 in Arkansas.
Oklahoma has the higher median household income at $56,956, compared with $52,123 in Arkansas.

Overview

Key differences overview

These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.

Overall Affordability

Arkansas is 1.0 points cheaper overall

Arkansas has the lower cost-of-living index. Arkansas is at 87.6, while Oklahoma is at 88.6.

View detailed comparison

Real Dollar Value

$100 goes $0.25 further in Oklahoma

After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $113.65 of local buying power in Oklahoma, versus $113.40 in Arkansas.

View detailed comparison

Income

Oklahoma income is 9.3% higher

Oklahoma has the higher median household income at $56,956, compared with $52,123 in Arkansas.

View detailed comparison

Jobs

Arkansas minimum wage is $3.75 higher

Arkansas has the higher statewide minimum wage at $11.00/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Oklahoma.

View detailed comparison

Housing

Oklahoma homes cost about 1.1x more

Arkansas has the lower median home value at $154,200, versus $171,200 in Oklahoma.

View detailed comparison

Taxes

Arkansas has lower state income tax

Arkansas has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 4.40%, compared with 4.75% in Oklahoma.

View detailed comparison

Full Comparison

Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Capital City The official state capital.	Little Rock	Oklahoma City	Details ->
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Red	Solid Red	Details ->
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	3,011,524	3,959,353	Details ->
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$52,123	$56,956	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	87.6	88.6	Details ->
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$154,200	$171,200	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.55%	0.80%	Details ->
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	4.40%	4.75%	Details ->
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$11.00/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.610/gal	$3.272/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	12.35 c/kWh	12.62 c/kWh	Details ->
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	42.07	46.34	Details ->
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	60.4°F	59.6°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	123 days	139 days	Details ->
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	53,179 sq mi	69,899 sq mi	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	56.6 per sq mi	56.6 per sq mi	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	June 15, 1836 (#25)	November 16, 1907 (#46)	Details ->

Population -> Median Income -> Cost of Living -> Median Housing Value -> Property Tax -> State Income Tax -> Minimum Wage -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Livability Score -> Average Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Land Area -> Population Density ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	3,011,524	3,959,353	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	56.6 per sq mi	56.6 per sq mi	Details ->
Bachelor's Degree Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).	26.2%	28.7%	Details ->
Advanced Degree Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).	9.5%	10.1%	Details ->

Population -> Population Density -> Bachelor's Degree -> Advanced Degree ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$11.00/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->

Minimum Wage ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	42.07	46.34	Details ->
Best State to Live In Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.	42.07	46.34	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	87.6	88.6	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$3.610/gal	$3.272/gal	Details ->
Gas Tax State gasoline excise tax in cents per gallon. Lower = lower state fuel tax burden.	24.70 c/gal	19.00 c/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	12.35 c/kWh	12.62 c/kWh	Details ->
Commute Time Average commute time in minutes.	22.0 min	21.8 min	Details ->

Livability Score -> Best State to Live In -> Cost of Living -> Gas Price -> Gas Tax -> Electricity Rates -> Commute Time ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	60.4°F	59.6°F	Details ->
Summer Temperature Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.	78.8°F	79.6°F	Details ->
Winter Temperature Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.	41.5°F	39.1°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	123 days	139 days	Details ->
Annual Precipitation Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.	50.6 in	36.5 in	Details ->

Average Temperature -> Summer Temperature -> Winter Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Annual Precipitation ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$154,200	$171,200	Details ->
Median Gross Rent Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.	$881/mo	$903/mo	Details ->
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Owner Costs Without Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Homeownership Rate Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.	66.2%	66.1%	Details ->
Home Value to Income Ratio Median home value divided by median household income.	2.96x	3.01x	Details ->
Rent to Income Ratio Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.	20.3%	19.0%	Details ->
Owner Costs to Income Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).	14.6%	16.2%	Details ->

Median Housing Value -> Median Gross Rent -> Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage -> Owner Costs Without Mortgage -> Homeownership Rate -> Home Value to Income Ratio -> Rent to Income Ratio -> Owner Costs to Income ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	4.40%	4.75%	Details ->
State Sales Tax State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).	6.50%	4.50%	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.55%	0.80%	Details ->

State Income Tax -> State Sales Tax -> Property Tax ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Solid Red	Solid Red	Details ->
Presidential Voting Margin Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).	Rep +30.64	Rep +34.26	Details ->
Swing State / Battleground Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.	Not a battleground	Not a battleground	Details ->
Governor Party Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
State House Control Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
State Senate Control Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
Trifecta Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican Trifecta	Republican Trifecta	Details ->

Presidential Voting Margin ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Gun Laws Status Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).	Permissive	Permissive	Details ->
Alcohol Laws Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).	License State	License State	Details ->
Marijuana Legalization Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).	Medical	Medical	Details ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	53,179 sq mi	69,899 sq mi	Details ->
Highest Point Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.	Magazine Mountain (Signal Hill) (2,753 ft)	Black Mesa (4,975 ft)	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	June 15, 1836 (#25)	November 16, 1907 (#46)	Details ->
Capital City The official state capital.	Little Rock	Oklahoma City	Details ->
Region U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.	South	South	Details ->

Land Area -> Highest Point ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Life Expectancy Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).	73.4 yrs	73.8 yrs	Details ->
Older Adult Health Outcomes Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.	34.5	33.5	Details ->
Uninsured Rate Share of residents without health insurance coverage.	8.9%	11.4%	Details ->
Obesity Rate Adult obesity prevalence.	38.9%	36.8%	Details ->

Life Expectancy -> Older Adult Health Outcomes -> Uninsured Rate -> Obesity Rate ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Violent Crime Rate Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).	556.3	442.7	Details ->
Property Crime Rate Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.	2507.2	2374.4	Details ->

Violent Crime Rate -> Property Crime Rate ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$52,123	$56,956	Details ->
Regional Price Parity Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).	86.1	88.4	Details ->
Purchasing Power of $100 Real local value of $100 after adjusting for BEA Regional Price Parities.	$113.40	$113.65	Details ->
Poverty Rate Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).	15.7%	15.9%	Details ->
Employment/Population Ratio Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).	56.1%	57.7%	Details ->
Unemployment Rate Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).	4.2%	3.6%	Details ->
Job Growth Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).	1.1%	0.9%	Details ->

Median Income -> Regional Price Parity -> Purchasing Power of $100 -> Poverty Rate -> Employment/Population Ratio -> Unemployment Rate -> Job Growth ->

Metric	AR	OK	Deep dive
Retirement Score Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.	66.5	66.1	Details ->

Retirement Score ->

Intent-Oriented

Which state fits your priorities better?

Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.

Saving Money

Arkansas is cheaper overall

Overall cost-of-living index: 87.6 vs 88.6 in Oklahoma. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.

See full data

Gas Price

Oklahoma is cheaper at the pump

Average regular gas price: $3.272/gal in Oklahoma vs $3.610/gal in Arkansas. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.

See full data

Minimum Wage

Arkansas has the higher minimum wage

State minimum wage: $11.00/hr in Arkansas vs $7.25/hr in Oklahoma. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.

See full data

Electricity Rates

Arkansas has cheaper electricity

Average residential electricity rate: 12.35 c/kWh in Arkansas vs 12.62 c/kWh in Oklahoma. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.

See full data

Buying a Home

Arkansas is more attainable for buyers

Home-value-to-income ratio: 2.96x in Arkansas vs 3.01x in Oklahoma. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.

See full data

Renting

Oklahoma is easier for renters

Rent-to-income ratio: 19.0% in Oklahoma vs 20.3% in Arkansas. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.

See full data

Property Tax

Arkansas has lower property taxes

Effective property tax rate: 0.55% in Arkansas vs 0.80% in Oklahoma. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.

See full data

State Color

Arkansas votes bluer

2024 presidential margin: Rep +30.64 in Arkansas vs Rep +34.26 in Oklahoma.

See full data

Lower Taxes

Arkansas has lower income taxes

Top state income tax rate: 4.40% in Arkansas vs 4.75% in Oklahoma.

See full data

Shorter Commute

Oklahoma has the shorter commute

Average commute: 21.8 min in Oklahoma vs 22.0 min in Arkansas.

See full data

Job Opportunities

Oklahoma looks better for job seekers

Unemployment rate: 3.6% in Oklahoma vs 4.2% in Arkansas.

See full data

Remote Workers

Oklahoma looks better for remote workers

Livability score: 46.34 in Oklahoma vs 42.07 in Arkansas. Oklahoma also has the shorter average commute.

See full data

Families

Oklahoma looks better for families

Oklahoma wins more family-oriented signals in this matchup, including violent crime rate, life expectancy, bachelor's degree compared with Arkansas.

See full data

Warmer Climate

Arkansas is warmer overall

Average annual temperature: 60.4°F in Arkansas vs 59.6°F in Oklahoma.

See full data

More Sunshine

Oklahoma gets more sun

Sunny days per year: 139 days in Oklahoma vs 123 days in Arkansas.

See full data

Detailed Metric Pages

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Population

Oklahoma has a larger population than Arkansas by 947,829 people.

Population Density

Arkansas and Oklahoma have the same population density.

Bachelor's Degree

Oklahoma has a higher college-educated share than Arkansas.

Advanced Degree

Oklahoma has a higher advanced-degree share than Arkansas.

Arkansas vs Oklahoma - Common Questions

Q Is Arkansas cheaper to live in than Oklahoma?

Arkansas has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Arkansas scores 87.6 versus 88.6 for Oklahoma - a gap of 1.0 points.

Q Where does $100 go further - Arkansas or Oklahoma?

$100 goes further in Oklahoma. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $113.65 in Oklahoma, compared with $113.40 in Arkansas.

Q Which state is bigger - Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is larger, covering 69,899 sq mi compared with 53,179 sq mi for Arkansas - roughly 1.3x the size.

Q Does Arkansas or Oklahoma have more people?

Oklahoma has the larger population at 3,959,353, compared with 3,011,524 in Arkansas.

Q Which state has higher household income - Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Oklahoma has the higher median household income at $56,956, versus $52,123 in Arkansas.

Q Which state has lower income taxes - Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Arkansas has the lower state income tax top rate at 4.40%, compared with 4.75% in Oklahoma.

Q Is housing cheaper in Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Homes are cheaper in Arkansas, where the median home value is $154,200, versus $171,200 in Oklahoma.

Q Which state is more densely populated - Arkansas or Oklahoma?

Oklahoma is more densely populated at 56.6 per sq mi people per sq mi. Arkansas is more spread out at 56.6 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related Comparisons

Alabama vs Oklahoma

Delaware vs Oklahoma

Methodology

All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.

Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.