Salary Needed to Live in Little Rock as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $49,071/year to live comfortably in Little Rock, AR, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $49,071/year to live comfortably in Little Rock, AR. The bare-minimum salary is $42,528/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,999.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,658/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,089/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$49,071
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$42,528
$3,544/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,658
26% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Little Rock
| Expense | Little Rock | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $774 | $1,351 | -43% |
| Groceries | $212 | $207 | +2% |
| Utilities | $142 | $169 | -16% |
| Transportation | $262 | $316 | -17% |
| Car Insurance | $204 | $223 | -9% |
| Health Insurance | $509 | $672 | -24% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone | $73 | $85 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $258 | $300 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $103 | $120 | -14% |
| Personal Care | $65 | $75 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,658 | $3,583 | -26% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,658
Target savings (10%):$341/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,999
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$49,071
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$774
Studio/1BR rent is 29% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus AR state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$341/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Little Rock is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $774/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $555/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $42,528/year as the survival floor and $49,071/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Little Rock
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Little Rock?
A single person needs approximately $49,071/year ($4,089/month gross) to live comfortably in Little Rock with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Little Rock?
A studio/1br in Little Rock costs approximately $774/month, which is the largest single expense at 29% of the total budget.
Is Little Rock affordable for a single person?
Yes, Little Rock is 26% more affordable than the national average for a single person.