Assisted living facility
Arkansas · Senior Living
Senior Living in Arkansas
Compare more than 311 verified communities across 861 Arkansas cities — with real local costs, every way to pay, and the state protections that keep your family safe. When you're ready, a local advisor helps you tour, free.
?
In short: Assisted living in Arkansas averages $3,700–$5,550 per month, memory care runs $5,600–$7,500, and independent living starts near $2,800. Arkansas exempts Social Security from state income tax, its Medicaid ARChoices and Living Choices programs help those who qualify, and every assisted living facility is licensed and inspected by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care.
What it costs
The cost of senior living in Arkansas
Prices vary by care level and region. These are 2026 statewide monthly averages.
| Care type | Typical monthly cost | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Living | $2,800 – $5,370 | Age-restricted housing, amenities, meals — no medical care |
| Assisted Living Most common | $3,700 – $5,550 | Housing, meals, medication help, daily personal care |
| Memory Care | $5,600 – $7,500 | Secured community, dementia-trained staff, higher ratios |
| Nursing Home (semi-private) | $6,996 – $7,452 | 24-hour skilled nursing and complex medical care |
Statewide averages for planning only; a studio assisted-living apartment averages ~$4,637/mo, with higher prices in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. Your community provides exact pricing.
Browse by need
Senior living care types in Arkansas
Jump straight to the care level you need, filtered to Arkansas communities.
How families pay
Paying for senior living in Arkansas
Most families combine several sources, including the programs unique to Arkansas.
Arkansas Medicaid (ARChoices & Living Choices)
The ARChoices in Homecare waiver and Living Choices Assisted Living program help pay for care. In 2026, a single applicant's income limit is $2,982/mo and countable assets must be $2,000 or less; a primary home is usually exempt. A 60-month look-back applies.
VA benefits
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for Aid & Attendance, a monthly pension add-on that can be applied toward assisted living or memory care.
Private pay & LTC insurance
Savings, home-sale proceeds, pensions, and long-term care insurance. Arkansas exempts Social Security and the first $6,000 of retirement income per person, helping savings stretch further toward care.
Why families choose Arkansas
A low-cost state for retirement
3.7%
Top state income tax rate — Social Security fully exempt
~563K
Residents aged 65+, about 19% of the state
$6,000
Retirement income exemption per person, age 59½+
60 mo.
Medicaid look-back period on asset transfers
Beyond the low tax burden, Arkansas has built a healthcare network for older adults — major systems like UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas Children's, and Mercy — plus a growing selection of Medicare Advantage plans and purpose-built 55+ communities. The state's lower cost of living means care dollars go further than in most coastal markets.
Know your protections
How Arkansas regulates senior care
Choosing is easier when you know who's watching over every community. Arkansas's oversight is structured around a statutory Residents' Bill of Rights.
- Licensed & inspected by DHS. Every assisted living facility is licensed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care, under Arkansas Code § 20-10-1204 and 20 CAR § 411-901, with periodic surveys.
- Residents' Bill of Rights. Facilities must post the Residents' Bill of Rights and the Office of Long-Term Care complaint line, guaranteeing dignity, privacy, and freedom of choice.
- Protections in law. The statute mandates freedom from abuse, the right to manage personal funds, private communication, and choice of healthcare providers.
- Abuse investigations. The Office of Long-Term Care investigates allegations of neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults in licensed facilities.
Verified directory
Every listing is a real, state-licensed community
Our Arkansas directory is built from verified facility records. When you're ready, a local advisor helps you compare options, check availability, and tour — at no cost to your family.
1 (844) 203 4645Estimate your cost
What will senior living in Arkansas cost?
Pick a care type for an instant monthly estimate — then talk to an advisor for exact, community-specific pricing. Free, no obligation.
1. Who is this for?
estimated / month in Arkansas
Get exact pricing — 1 (844) 203 4645Featured communities
Senior living communities in Arkansas
A few of the verified, state-licensed communities families are touring now. Contact is handled through a free advisor to keep your information private.
Assisted living facility
Nursing Home
Assisted LivingExplore by location
Senior living in every Arkansas city
Browse communities in any of the 861 Arkansas cities we cover — start with the largest markets below.
Little Rock
21
Hot Springs
13
Rogers
10
Fayetteville
9
Springdale
9
Conway
8
Fort Smith
7
Jonesboro
7
Benton
6
El Dorado
5
Mountain Home
5
North Little Rock
5
Russellville
5
Batesville
4
Bentonville
4
Bryant
4
Cabot
4
Harrison
4
Lonoke
4
Paragould
4
Pine Bluff
4
Searcy
4
Sherwood
4
Texarkana
4
West Memphis
4
Ashdown
3
Barling
3
Bella Vista
3
Camden
3
Clarksville
3
Crossett
3
Heber Springs
3
Malvern
3
Mena
3
Monticello
3
Pocahontas
3
Prescott
3
Van Buren
3
Ash Flat
2
Blytheville
2
Danville
2
De Witt
2
Eureka Springs
2
Fairfield Bay
2
Fordyce
2
Forrest City
2
Glenwood
2
Greenwood
2
Helena
2
Hope
2
Huntsville
2
Lake Village
2
Magnolia
2
Marianna
2
Maumelle
2
McCrory
2
Newport
2
Paris
2
Sheridan
2
Stuttgart
2
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Arkansas?
Assisted living in Arkansas averages $3,700 to $5,550 per month in 2026, with a statewide median of $4,637. Affordable markets like Fort Smith and Pine Bluff run lower, while Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas sit at the higher end.
Does Arkansas Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes — through the ARChoices in Homecare waiver and the Living Choices Assisted Living program, for those who meet the clinical and financial limits. Medicaid covers care services, not room and board directly, but other supports can help.
Is Arkansas a good state to retire in?
For many families, yes — Social Security is fully exempt from state income tax, the first $6,000 of retirement income per person is exempt, the top rate is 3.7%, and the cost of living is among the lowest in the U.S.
Who regulates senior living facilities in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Care licenses and inspects every assisted living facility under Arkansas Code § 20-10-1204, with support from the Department of Health.
Free & no obligation
Talk to a local senior living advisor
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll match you with communities that fit your needs, budget, and timeline — and help you tour. There's never a cost to your family.
1 (844) 203 4645
Call now