Arkansas Ranks #1 for Value of $100 in U.S.
January 22, 2026Your dollars go further in Arkansas.
In its new infographic “The Purchasing Power of $100 by U.S. State,” Visual Capitalist charts the relative value of $100 in each state, highlighting which states have higher or lower purchasing power.
According to Visual Capitalist, Arkansas has the highest purchasing power in the United States. The infographic shows that, in Arkansas, $100 has the purchasing power of $113.
This means that money goes further in Arkansas than other states. For example, a dollar in Arkansas has 30 percent more purchasing power than a dollar spent in California.
Visual Capitalist utilized data from GOBankingRates, which incorporated sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Economic Affairs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow. Visual Capitalist noted that “factors like cost of living and local taxes affect the real value of money.”
Having increased purchasing power helps make Arkansas one of the most affordable states in the nation. U.S. News and World Report named Arkansas as the most affordable state to live in thanks to low overall costs and its housing affordability.
Affordability has helped position Arkansas as a leading destination for movers. In 2025, Arkansas was the no. 1 state for inbound movers according to Atlas Van Lines. This was the second consecutive year that Arkansas was the top state for inbound movers.
