Known for its beautiful waterways, hot springs and naturalized areas, Arkansas is home to just over 3 million residents. The state’s population has grown by 3.3% over the past decade, and 17.4% of Arkansans are seniors aged 65 and older. Little Rock is the state capital and most populous city in Arkansas, and it serves as the regional health care hub. A number of top-ranked health care facilities are located here, including UAMS Health, a full-service teaching hospital.
Arkansas ranked 46th on our 2024 Senior Living Report, despite the fact that the state’s average assisted living rate of $3,760 is well below the nationwide median of $4,500. This low ranking reflects that Arkansas has fewer primary care physicians per capita than the U.S. average, and crime rates in the state are relatively high.
This guide offers an overview of assisted living costs in Arkansas, and compares those costs with other states and long-term care options. There’s also an overview of Medicaid-funded programs that seniors can access to help finance their long-term care expenses, a list of state regulations for assisted living facilities and links to free resources for Arkansas seniors.