Cost of Living in Hot Springs, AR
Hot Springs, AR — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Hot Springs, AR to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Hot Springs, AR vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 85.7 | −14.3% |
| Housing | 57.3 | −42.7% |
| Goods | 93.6 | −6.4% |
| Utilities | 74.3 | −25.7% |
| Other services | 95.3 | −4.7% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Hot Springs, AR
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $829 | $33,160/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $834 | $33,360/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,090 | $43,600/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,393 | $55,720/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,670 | $66,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Hot Springs, AR
- Federal income tax$2,205
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,265
- Medicare (1.45%)$530
- Arkansas income tax$1,212
- Take-home pay$30,328
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.90% state
Highest-paying jobs in Hot Springs, AR
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,590 | $61,266 | $71,464 |
| General and Operations Manager | $62,810 | $50,411 | $58,802 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers | $35,390 | $29,448 | $34,350 |
| Office Clerks, General | $34,990 | $29,143 | $33,993 |
| Customer Service Representative | $34,150 | $28,500 | $33,244 |
| First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,540 | $28,034 | $32,700 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $32,130 | $26,956 | $31,443 |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,940 | $25,282 | $29,490 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,260 | $24,762 | $28,884 |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,890 | $23,702 | $27,648 |
| Cashier | $27,840 | $23,663 | $27,602 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $27,510 | $23,404 | $27,300 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $25,740 | $22,016 | $25,680 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $23,550 | $20,298 | $23,676 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $23,350 | $20,141 | $23,493 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hot Springs, AR expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Hot Springs, AR metro area are 85.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 57.3%. It is the #373 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Hot Springs, AR?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $51,438 in Hot Springs, AR (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $36,540.
How much is rent in Hot Springs, AR?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Hot Springs, AR are $829 for a studio, $834 for one bedroom, $1,090 for two bedrooms and $1,393 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Hot Springs, AR
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $62,810
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $78,590
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $29,940
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $25,740
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $33,540
- Cooks, Restaurant — $29,260
- Waiter and Waitress — $23,550
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $23,350
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $35,390
- Retail Salesperson — $27,890
- Cashier — $27,840
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $34,990
- Customer Service Representative — $34,150
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Stocker and Order Filler — $32,130