Arkansas: where the lakes are beautiful, the pace is slow, and the phrase “natural state” sounds like a charming tourism slogan—until you’re pulling ticks off your jeans. At first glance, living here seems like a steal. But behind that low cost of living are some sneaky little expenses that add up faster than a squirrel spotting your bird feeder.
Table of Contents
1. Internet That Charges Like It’s 1997
High-speed internet in rural Arkansas is about as common as a decent bagel. If you want reliable service, you might have to pay more for satellite or a pricey provider with spotty coverage.
2. Limited Public Transit = “Hope You Like Driving”
Owning a car isn’t optional unless you live right in the heart of Little Rock or Fayetteville. Gas, maintenance, and new tires from dodging potholes on back roads are just part of the deal.
3. Flash Floods and the Insurance That Follows
Arkansas is no stranger to torrential rains and surprise flash floods. And guess what? Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover that—flood insurance is a must in many parts of the state.
4. Property Maintenance Thanks to “Nature”
Trees, vines, critters—oh my. Living near nature sounds great until your roof is covered in leaves, your crawlspace becomes a raccoon Airbnb, and your lawnmower gives up halfway through June.
5. Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs
Many rural areas lack nearby hospitals or specialists, meaning longer drives and sometimes out-of-network providers. Even basic care can feel like an expedition—and an expense.
6. Surprise Sales Taxes on Groceries
Unlike many states, Arkansas does tax groceries. So yes, even your milk, eggs, and Little Debbie snack cakes come with a little extra fee.
7. Pest Control: Termites, Ticks, and Fire Ants, Oh My
Termites love Arkansas wood just as much as Arkansans do. Routine pest inspections and treatments are part of the price of owning pretty much anything with a foundation.
8. Power Bills From Weather Mood Swings
You’ll need A/C in summer, heat in winter, and sometimes both in the same week. Arkansas weather doesn’t care about your budget or your thermostat.
9. Education Extras
Public schools vary widely by district, and many parents opt for private schools, tutoring, or extracurricular programs to fill in the gaps. The school supplies list alone could break a small bank.
10. Hunting and Fishing Ain’t Free
Sure, it’s a lifestyle—but it’s also a line item. Licenses, gear, and boat maintenance quickly turn your “free time in nature” into a Cabela’s-sponsored spending spree.
11. Emergency Generator Fund
Storms and outages happen more often than you’d expect. A backup generator might sound like a luxury—until your fridge full of deer meat thaws during a 48-hour power outage.
12. Heating Costs (Especially If You’re on Propane)
If you live outside the city limits, you may not have access to natural gas. That means relying on propane tanks that need regular refills—at unpredictable prices…