Arkansas · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Hot Springs, AR

The median household in Hot Springs, AR earns $47,760 a year ($3,980/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,090/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $43,600 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 14.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$47,760$3,980 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,090HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)85.7-14.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate14.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential AR
Census Population37,920Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Hot Springs, AR

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,090Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$43,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,194At 30% of $47,760
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Hot Springs, AR

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Hot Springs, AR MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Hot Springs, AR
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$829$9,948$33,16020.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$834$10,008$33,36021%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,090$13,080$43,60027.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,393$16,716$55,72035%
4-Bedroom Home$1,670$20,040$66,80042%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Hot Springs, AR →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Hot Springs, AR

Based on the local median household income of $47,760/year ($3,980/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,990/moRent ($1,090 2-BR), utilities (~$127/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,194/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 85.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$796/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Arkansas

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Arkansas state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$47,760
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,760
Net 82%
Fed 7%
AR 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,238After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,270Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,509Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,551 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$1,317 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,654 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Arkansas with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hot Springs, AR

What is the median household income in Hot Springs, AR?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Hot Springs, AR is $47,760 per year (approximately $3,980 per month).

What is the average rent in Hot Springs, AR?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Hot Springs, AR are $829 for a studio, $834 for 1 bedroom, $1,090 for 2 bedrooms, $1,393 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,670 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Hot Springs, AR compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Hot Springs, AR is 85.7 (14.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Hot Springs, AR?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,090/month) in Hot Springs, AR requires a minimum gross household income of $43,600 per year ($3,633 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Hot Springs, AR?

For a typical household earning the median income of $47,760/year ($3,980/month) in Hot Springs, AR, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,990/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,194/month to discretionary spending, and $796/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Hot Springs, AR?

Residential electricity rates in Arkansas average 14.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $127 per month.